Exam 2: Election of 1800 and its significance

Election of 1800 and its significance

As the first peaceful transition of political power between opposing parties in U.S. history, however, the election of 1800 had far-reaching significance. Jefferson appreciated the momentous change and his inaugural address called for reconciliation by declaring that, "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."

"Democratic" vs. "Aristocratic"

Federalists were considered an aristocratic party while the Republicans thought of themselves as more democratic

Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton campaigned against the Republicans because he believed that if they won the White House, they would overthrow his carefully crafted financial systems

12th Amendment

The Twelfth Amendment (Amendment XII) to the United States Constitution provides the procedure for electing the President and Vice President. It replaced the procedure provided in Article II, Section 1, Clause 3, by which the Electoral College originally functioned. Problems with the original procedure arose in the elections of 1796 and 1800. The Twelfth Amendment refined the process whereby a President and a Vice President are elected by the Electoral College. The amendment was proposed by the Congress on December 9, 1803, and was ratified by the requisite three-fourths of state legislatures on June 15, 1804.

Aaron Burr

Tied with Jefferson in electoral votes but lost in the House of Representatives

Charles C. Pinckney

Federalist candidate who lost election after massive smear campaign

John Adams

former federalist President defeated by Thomas Jefferson, A Republican

James Monroe

threatened to send Virginia militia to Washington if the deadlock about electoral college votes was not hastily remedied

"Revolution of 1800"

In what is sometimes referred to as the "Revolution of 1800", Vice President Thomas Jefferson defeated President John Adams. The election was a realigning election that ushered in a generation of Democratic-Republican Party rule and the eventual demise of the Federalist Party in the First Party System.

Thomas Jefferson

Democratic-Republican candidate who won the election after tied electoral college votes caused it to be decided by the House of Representatives