The Election of 1800 The Age of Jefferson Begins

Consider how fragile is the New Republic… Controversy over location of new capitol 1790 Controversy over location of new capitol Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan 1793 Citizen Genet’s threat to neutrality 1793 Citizen Genet’s threat to neutrality 1795 Whiskey rebellion and called out militia 1795 Whiskey rebellion and called out militia 1795 Jay’s treaty 1795 Jay’s treaty 1796 Washington’s retirement XYZ Affair and Quasi War with France 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts Virginia and Kentucky Resolves Finally the Election of 1800

Political Parties Election of 1800 Election of 1800 See handout on political parties See handout on political parties

The Nasty Election… Jefferson Camp said of Adams Jefferson Camp said of Adams a "hideous ______character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman." a "hideous ______character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman." A vote for Jefferson was vote for " no God." A vote for Jefferson was vote for " no God." Adams camp called Jefferson "a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half- breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father." A vote for Adams was a vote for :"God- and a Religious President"

Political Cartoons

Question? The election of 1796 was no big deal when the Federalist Adams is elected to follow the Federalist Washington. The election of 1796 was no big deal when the Federalist Adams is elected to follow the Federalist Washington. But the election of 1800 when Jefferson followed Adams may have been the most important election that would occur from But the election of 1800 when Jefferson followed Adams may have been the most important election that would occur from Why? What is so important about 1800? Why? What is so important about 1800?

Election year House Federalist Democratic-Republican % Republican43% 51%56%46%43%63%73%82%83% Senate Federalist Democratic-Republican % Democratic-Republican31%45%47%34%31% 53%74%71%82% What trend do you notice in these election results ?

Presidential Candidate Party Home State Popular Vote (a), (b), (c) Electoral Vote CountPercentage Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson Democratic-Republican Virginia 41, %73 Aaron Burr Aaron Burr Democratic-Republican New York New York ——73 John Adams John Adams Federalist Massachusetts 25, %65 Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Federalist South Carolina South Carolina ——64 John Jay John Jay Federalist New York New York ——1 Total67, %276 Needed to win 70 Election Results 1800: What do you notice?

Importance of the Election 1st election were power is transferred from one political party to another, peacefully. 1st election were power is transferred from one political party to another, peacefully. Ushers in 28 years of Republican rule and leads to demise of Federalists party. Slavery makes a difference for the winner 3/5ths clause Leads to Constitutional Amendment

Resolution and Change Jefferson in a tie with his VP, Burr. Jefferson in a tie with his VP, Burr. House decides House decides Federalists are loathed to vote for Jefferson and support Burr Federalists are loathed to vote for Jefferson and support Burr Over course of 7 days, 35 ballots cast and no one gets the 9 votes needed. Over course of 7 days, 35 ballots cast and no one gets the 9 votes needed. 36th vote, Jefferson gets the votes needed and is declared President. Hamilton thought him the “lesser of two evils” 12th Amendment ratified in It is clearly listed who is the presidential Candidate and who the Vice-President. Electors cast separate ballots for each office.