With the first term of President John Adams coming to an end, the United States found itself divided between the incumbent Federalist president, and the challenging Democratic-Republican, Thomas Jefferson. This was the first real election between political parties and the beginning of a process that is now commonplace in American politics.
There were five candidates receiving electoral votes in the election. Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia; John Adams, of Massachusetts; Aaron Burr, of New York; Charles Pinckney, of South Carolina; and John Jay, also of Virginia. Jefferson initially tied Aaron Burr, at 73 electoral votes each, before winning in a House of Representatives vote.
The election of 1800 was significant for several reasons. For one, it was a major, peaceful transfer of power between two different political factions. In addition, the election exposed serious flaws in the electoral system, and because of it, issues were addressed by the ratification of the 12th amendment.
The Election of 1800 is important for many reasons. The election itself was heated, and even ended in a tie. Because of this, for the first time, deciding the president fell to the House of Representatives. Because of political allegiances and strife, Jefferson was voted president. The election served as a stride towards true republican democracy.
WHERE DID THIS OCCUR?
We vote for Thomas Jefferson!
5 Ws: THE ELECTION OF 1800
WHEN DID THIS OCCUR?
BIG GOVERNMENT!
SMALL GOVERNMENT!
Voting took place across the then very young United States. Kentucky and Tennessee had been admitted to the Union, and people out west were now participating in politics. The eventual count, and tie breaking vote, happened in Washington, D.C. where Jefferson also accepted his nomination.
The election of 1800 of course occurred throughout the year of 1800. Elections were conducted in 1800, and after the initial count on February 11th, Jefferson won the tie break on February 17th, 1801. The election also served as a rematch of the presidential election in 1796, pitting Adams against Jefferson.