During Andrew Jackson’s presidency in the early 19th century, the capital city of the United States was shaken by a turbulent scandal known as the Petticoat affair. Not only is it remembered as one of America's earliest political controversies involving the reputation of a president, but it also clashed heavily with social expectations.
Set in the era of Manifest Destiny, the affair was centered on a woman named Margaret "Peggy" Eaton, whose beauty and bold personality ignited fiery gossip about her alleged sexual improprieties. The issue escalated into a conflict that fractured President Jackson's Cabinet, tested friendships, and reshaped the fledgling Democratic Party.
Could one woman's reputation truly alter the course of American politics? And what really happened during this scandalous time in history? Click through the following gallery to find out.