The "corrupt bargain" occurred in the year 1824. During the presidential election of 1824, no candidate received a majority of the electoral votes. As a result, the decision went to the House of Representatives to choose the President. Speaker of the House Henry Clay used his influence to support John Quincy Adams, who then became President. Andrew Jackson, who had won the popular vote, felt that a backroom deal had been made between Adams and Clay, leading to the term "corrupt bargain" being used to describe the situation.
