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The "Corrupt Bargain" resulted in:

A) A candidate who received fewer votes becoming president,
B) Jackson's political supporters receiving government jobs,
C) The United States buying Louisiana for $15 million,
D) Jackson depositing government money in supporters' banks.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The "Corrupt Bargain" refers to the 1824 presidential election aftermath, when John Quincy Adams was elected by the House of Representatives despite Andrew Jackson receiving the most votes, leading to allegations of a rigged system. Andrew Jackson and his supporters coined this term when Henry Clay supported Adams, afterward becoming Secretary of State.

Step-by-step explanation:

The "Corrupt Bargain" and Its Consequences

The term "Corrupt Bargain" refers to the events following the presidential election of 1824. Due to a lack of a majority in the Electoral College, the House of Representatives had to decide the winner among the top three candidates. Although Andrew Jackson had won the most electoral and popular votes, the House, influenced by Henry Clay's support, elected John Quincy Adams as the president. Clay was then appointed Secretary of State by Adams, which Jackson and his supporters viewed as a quid pro quo: political support for a high office, hence the term "Corrupt Bargain".

Supporters of Jackson were particularly aggrieved by this outcome, deeming it an act of political elitism that ignored the will of the people. Consequently, they labeled the Adams administration's practice of awarding political supporters with government jobs as the spoils system.

Therefore, regarding the multiple-choice question provided about the "Corrupt Bargain", option (B) John Quincy Adams became president is the correct answer. This event significantly influenced subsequent elections and changed the landscape of American politics, leading to the rise of Jacksonian Democracy and the eventual presidency of Andrew Jackson in 1828.

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