America at the Dawn of A new century The 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
Democratic-Republicans Election of 1800 Democratic-Republicans Federalists Thomas Jefferson (VA) Aaron Burr (NY) John Adams (MA) Charles Pinckney (SC)
The Election of 1800 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 John Adams 65 Charles Pinckney 64
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