Election of 1800 What Really Happened? Jefferson supporter & newspaper editor, James Callender wrote that Adams was "that strange compound of ignorance and ferocity, of deceit and weakness, a hideous, hermaphroditical character which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.” Adams did not spread the rumor that Jefferson was dead, but some evidence suggests that the Federalist Party did. Dirty Campaign! • Jefferson said that Adams was a, "a blind, bald, crippled, toothless man who is a hideous hermaphroditic character with neither the force and fitness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.“ • Adams, in turn, said that Jefferson was "a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father.“ • Good times, huh? Election of 1800 • Federalists – John Adams • 1st sitting president who had to seriously campaign to keep his job – Running Mate: – Charles Pinckney • Picked because of success from XYZ Affair • Democratic –Republican – Thomas Jefferson • VP who really wants to be POTUS – Running Mate: – Aaron Burr • Popular politician within Democratic –Republican party •Despite the problems Adams faced during his Presidency, he did run for reelection in 1800. •Jefferson & Burr ran against him. •Republicans criticized Adams, Adams shot back at Jefferson. •Jefferson campaigned for himself, while Adams did not. He thought the people knew enough about him, so that he didn’t have to do that. •Another Federalist, Alexander Hamilton, worked against Adams. This split the Federalist party. Election of 1800 ★ Adams vs. Jefferson (Again) ★ Jefferson is strongest in the West and in the South ★ Adams would have won without the ⅗ clause in place... Jefferson and Aaron Burr win – but who will be President? The Constitution says one must win a majority (51%) of electoral votes to become president. The plan was for one elector to hold a vote back from Burr – effectively giving him 72 (and a clear second place). But he forgot. Doh! Since no majority, the House chooses. A 12th amendment will later be passed: Presidents and Vice Presidents will now be elected on separate ballots (so no ties from the same political party) In the case of a tie…House of Representatives picks the new POTUS • In the House of Representatives – Most of the majority political party is the Federalists: • They refuse to vote for Thomas Jefferson – They pick Burr just because they hate Thomas Jefferson – The Democratic-Republican’s make up the rest • They vote for Jefferson • What happens? – It’s a tie vote 30 straight times… » Then, it gets weird….(wait, it wasn’t weird, til then?!?!?!) Enter Alexander Hamilton • From What we know about Hamilton (and his feelings about Jefferson), what do you think is going to happen? Alexander Hamilton • Because he hated Aaron Burr so much…but they used to be BFFS) Burr was a lawyer who represented a woman named Maria Reynolds…a woman Hamilton was having an affair with. • He got the Federalists to not vote at all That way Jefferson could win! – Becomes 3rd POTUS • Aaron Burr is furious – He becomes VPOTUS – Because of this…. » Aaron Burr and Hamilton will be lifelong enemies… • Until one shoots the other. Even though Hamilton hated Jefferson, he apparently hated Burr MORE, and came out in support of Jefferson, So Jefferson won the next round of votes, and the Presidency. So what happens after the election of 1800… • Thomas Jefferson is excited!!! – Gets to become next POTUS (President of the United States) • John Adams is very disappointed he took 3rd. – Goes home to Massachusetts to retire. • Greatest legacy—”peaceful transfer of power” to the opposing political party – Showed that our government was strong enough to endure. • Aaron Burr and Alex Hamilton? – It takes 4 years, but • It’s time to duel it out… The U.S. Constitution gets a new amendment • 12th amendment – Added in 1803 • Created 2 ballots for presidential elections: • 1 for POTUS • 1 for VPOTUS • That way there can never be a tie again….we hope. The Duel at Dawn…July 11, 1804 • Aaron Burr challenges Hamilton to the duel – They are to meet in New Jersey • Rules of duel: – They will march off 10 paces – They will turn and present arms – On command, they will fire at each other • If they both miss, you repeat… The Death of Alexander Hamilton • Hamilton shoots the tree next to Burr • Burr shoots Hamilton in the abdomen—the bullet pierces his liver and lodges in his spine. – He dies the next day • With his death and John Adams retirement – The Federalist party ends. Videos: • • • • • • • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aJtKtdGN_0&list=PLYVt4-3lffi4lZVWGHZBtEUllm95KO_L&index=51 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjsqZHb32Gk&list=PLYVt4-3lffi4lZVWGHZBtEUllm95KO_L&index=37 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzhJu7kk69w&list=PLYVt4-3lffi4lZVWGHZBtEUllm95KO_L&index=47 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB2VkQoSGfM&list=PLYVt4-3lffi4lZVWGHZBtEUllm95KO_L&index=46 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6Fz6aEEPGE&list=PLYVt4-3lffi4lZVWGHZBtEUllm95KO_L&index=51&t=5s
