Corrupt Bargain: The 1824 Presidential Election

About The Game

Each player represents one of the major Candidates (Adams, Clay, Crawford, or Jackson) and their campaign organization in the 1824 Federal Election and seeks to become the next President of the United States. Through strategic alliances, campaigning, and back room politics, the players seek to win the election. The election is won outright by obtaining a majority of the Electoral College votes. If no candidate obtains a majority in the Electoral College, than the election goes to the House of Representatives where the candidate with the most states wins.

Thus players must balance campaigning for the popular vote with seeking political influence. Because the game can be played by two, three, or four-players, the strategy and play changes dramatically depending on the number of players. Games can generally be played in 60-90 minutes. Mounted game board of the United States in 1824, 200 cards including 80 event cards describing the various events during the election and the time period. Like Bleeding Kansas, the game mechanics are simple but tactical card play and strategic plans are plentiful. The game can also be played as a 2- or 3-player game, each with different strategies and potential paths to victory.