Post on 23-Feb-2016
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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