A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800
A bitterly contested election utilizes a constitutional remedy to usher in a peaceful transfer of power. 

 

 

 

---

FEDERALISTS

“Industry is increased, commodities are multiplied, agriculture and manufacturers flourish: and herein consists the true wealth and prosperity of a state.” Alexander Hamilton, 1790

 

DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS

“While we have land to labor then, let us never wish to see our citizens occupied at a work bench, or twirling a distaff… For the general operations of manufacture, let our workshops remain in Europe…the mobs of great cities add just so much to the support of pure government, as sores do to the strength of the human body” Thomas Jefferson, 1784

 

 

George Washington on Political Parties

 

---

---

 

Context: The election of 1800, however, was like no other in American history. It was the first time that parties mounted presidential campaigns, as domestic and foreign developments had divided Americans into two distinct partisan camps: the Federalists of President Adams and Alexander Hamilton—ideological ancestors of modern Republicans—versus the Republicans, or the future Democrats. Virtually every member of Congress had aligned himself with one party or the other.    

 

Elections that Made a Difference

 

 

 

 

 

 

Context - Conflict- Consequence 

 

#1 Federalist and Republican Mudslingers

Whispering campaigns and virulent attacks directed towards the candidates.  Outrageous newspaper invective. Dire predictions of warfare and national collapse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#2 The Jeffersonian "Revolution of 1800"  Ballots, not Bullets!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under the United States Constitution a tie in the Electoral college could be broken only by a vote in the House of Representatives (See Article II, Section I, paragraph  2).  

 

 

#3 Impact of the Election of 1800

A peaceful transfer of power based on electoral results both parties is accepted. It took 6 days and 36 ballots to break the deadlock. 

 

Another outcome of the election is the ratification of the Constitution’s 12th Amendment (1804), which instructs electors to cast separate votes for President and Vice President.

 

President Obama post-election statement November 9, 2016  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8ceJNLbk6s

 

 

 

 

"But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all republicans--we are all federalists."

 

Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address

March 4, 1801

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4 Responsibility Breeds Moderation  "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists" 

Jefferson acts out democracy  Pell-Mell 

 

 

Acting out Democracy  - start at 2:07 

 

 

 

 

 

#5 Jeffersonian Restraint 

Jefferson puts a Democratic-Republican spin on the Hamiltonian financial plan. - How?

 

#1 Scale back government spending

 

#2 friendships,  but no alliances

 

# 3 Strict interpretation of the Constitution

  

First Job – The spending!!!Scale down Hamilton’s plan (reduced and eventually eliminated the excise tax) ; got more money from import duties (tariff) and sale of western lands (price reduced to $1.25 an acre; minimum purchase 80 acres; created easy payment plans)

 

 

 

 

"The Democratic -Republicans were the first to learn that it is far easier 

to condemn from the stump than to govern consistently."

 

 

 

 

A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800
A bitterly contested election utilizes a constitutional remedy to usher in a peaceful transfer of power.