Election of John Quincy Adams

Definition

The election of John Quincy Adams in 1824 was the 10th quadrennial presidential election. It was a highly contested race that ended with the House of Representatives deciding the outcome, as no candidate had received a majority of electoral votes.

Analogy

Think about this like a game of musical chairs where nobody gets to sit down when the music stops. Instead, an impartial judge (the House) has to decide who deserves the chair most based on their performance during the game.

Related terms

Corrupt Bargain: This term refers to allegations made by Andrew Jackson's supporters that John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay conspired to steal the 1824 Presidential Election.

Henry Clay: A powerful politician from Kentucky who served as Speaker of the House during the 1824 election and played a significant role in determining its outcome.

Era of Good Feelings: This period in U.S history (1815-1825) is marked by one-party rule (Democratic-Republican Party), and it ended with the contentious election of 1824.