AMERICA AT THE DAWN OF A NEW

CENTURYThe Election of 1800 and Jeffersonian America

The Death of George Washington

George Washington died December 14, 1799, after contracting an illness from a ride at Mt. Vernon during a winter storm

He was only 3 years removed from the presidency

His death left a hole in the Federalist Party that it could not overcome in 1800“First in war, first in peace, and first in the

hearts of his countrymen.” –Edmund Randolph delivering Washington’s Eulogy

FederalistsElection of 1800Democratic-

Republicans

Thomas Jefferson (VA)

Aaron Burr (NY)

John Adams (MA)

Charles Pinckney (SC)

There is no popular vote at this time

Electors chosen by the state legislature meet in Philadelphia to choose president

No single candidate won a majority of electoral votes Results in a tie

between Jefferson and Burr

The Constitution called for election to be decided by the House of Representatives

Candidate Electoral vote

Thomas Jefferson 73

Aaron Burr 73

John Adams 65

Charles Pinckney 64

The Election of 1800

Alexander Hamilton’s influence

Hamilton still had influence among Federalist politicians

Although he disliked both Jefferson and Burr, he distrusted Burr “Jefferson has some

pretentions to character . . . Mr. Burr is one of the most unprincipled men in the United States . . . bankrupt beyond redemption.”

Hamilton encouraged Federalists in the House to support Jefferson

Jefferson Becomes President

Jefferson agreed to allow some Federalist government officials to keep their positions

On the 36th ballot, the House chose Jefferson over Burr for the presidency

Jefferson becomes President and Burr becomes VP

T. Jefferson President of the United States of America: John Adams is no more

Election of 1800 leads to the 12th Amendment

12th Amendment was created to solve 1800 election problems

President and vice-president began to be elected on separate ballots

No more 1st place president and 2nd place vice-president