THE ELECTION OF 1800

DEMOCRACY TESTED

Presidential Candidates

•John Adams- Federalist•Thomas Jefferson-

Democratic- Republican•Aaron Burr- Democratic

Republican

Burr

Adams Jefferson

Why three candidates?

• At this time the Presidential candidate did not run for office with a running mate. The winner of the popular vote would get the Presidency while the first runner-up became vice-president.

• Could this be a problem?

The Campaign

• Very nasty and caustic• Adams was portrayed as a despot-

taking the presidency towards monarchy

• Jefferson portrayed as a friend of revolutionary disorder- • opposed all property except slaves• atheist

The Electoral College is Tied!

• Adams 65 votes• Jefferson 73 votes• Burr 73 votes

The Election goes to the House of Representatives to break the tie!

They are unable to break the tie after six days.

Alexander Hamilton intervenes

• Persuades enough Federalists to cast blank votes to break the tie.

• Jefferson wins the vote• Hamilton distrusted Burr so much

he helped the opposing party to take the White House

Alexander Hamilton

SO! What’s the big deal?

The Historical Significanceof the Election of 1800 is that

it was the first peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another!

The Duel?

• 1804 Burr runs for govenor of New York

• He loses and blames Hamilton• Hamilton exposed that Burr’s

backers wanted to establish a separate confederation of New Jersey and New York.