Chapter 10.5
The Election of 1796
• With George
Washington announcing
his retirement, the
country looks for a new
leader.
• Leading Candidates:
–
–
–
–
–
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
Alexander Hamilton
Thomas Pinckney
James Madison
So who wants to be President?
• John Adams = YES!
– Has already been VP for 8
years.
• Problem = not well liked
• Alexander Hamilton = NO!
– Likes working behind the
scenes
• Problem = hates Jefferson
• Thomas Pickney = YES!
– Why not?
• Problem = not well known
• Thomas Jefferson = YES!
– Picked by GW
• Problem = hates Hamilton
• James Madison = YES!
– Why not?
• Problem = thinks he’s the
smartest person ever!
• So……
– Why don’t people join
forces?
Remember Washington’s warning…
• George Washington
believed that making
political parties would
weaken the
government.
• Political parties
– Groups that help get
people elected in
government
The Birth of Political Parties
• Federalist Party
– Wanted to make the
federal government
stronger
– Wanted to promote:
• Industry
• Trade
• Created by Hamilton
– Led by John Adams
• Also Thomas Pinckney
• Democratic-Republican
Party
– Wanted to limit the power of
the federal government
– Wanted to promote:
• Agriculture
• States should govern
themselves
• Created by Jefferson
– Led by TJ and Madison
• Also Aaron Burr….
Let the election process begin…
1. Each party picks 2
people to run for POTUS
•
Federalists
–
–
•
John Adams
Thomas Pinckney
Democratic – Republican
–
–
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
• Let the good times roll…..
The attacks begin…
• John Adams attacks
Thomas Jefferson
• Thomas Jefferson attacks
John Adams
– TJ wants to make America
like France!
– Adams is an elitist who
hates farmers!
– Jefferson can’t keep a job!
– Adams is stupid!
• That’s why he quit as
Secretary of State!
• Meanwhile,
– Pinckney stops
campaigning
• It’s his wife who is smart…
• Meanwhile,
– Madison stops
campaigning
Election of 1796
• John Adams
– Gets 51% of the vote
• Thomas Jefferson
– Gets 49% of the vote
• Electoral College picks
– John Adams as POTUS
– Thomas Jefferson as VP
Review Questions
• What were the names of the first 2 political
parties in America?
• Who was the winner of the election of 1796?
• Who became the VP and why?