The Jefferson Era
1800-1816
Election of 1800
Democratic-Republicans
• Thomas Jefferson
• Democrats thought
they were saving the
nation from monarchy.
• Believed the Alien and
Sedition Acts violated
the Bill of Rights
(freedom of speech)
Federalists
• John Adams,
President
• Did not want the
country to be ruled by
radicals.
Election of 1800 –
Winner…maybe…
• Thomas Jefferson (DemocratRepublicans) won!
• Jefferson received 73 votes and Adams
received 65.
• BUT WAIT!!!
• Aaron Burr, who the Dem-Rep wanted as
Vice President also received 73 votes.
• What would they do???
Election of 1800 – Who
decides?
• According to the Constitution, the House had
to choose between Burr and Jefferson.
• The Democratic Republicans clearly intended
for Jefferson to be president.
• BUT the new House (Jefferson’s party) would
not take control for another few months.
• Federalists still had control of House but were
divided.
Election of 1800 – Breaking
the Tie
• Over seven days, they voted 35 times
without declaring a winner.
• Finally, two weeks before the inauguration,
several Federalists were persuaded NOT
to vote for Burr.
• Jefferson was finally elected President and
Burr, vice president.
• Burr would never forget this!
Jefferson’s Philosophy
• No president has ever
matched Jefferson in
terms of variety of
achievements.
Jefferson’s Philosophy
• Promoted a common way of life…wanted the
us to remain a nation of small independent
farmers.
• Believed a small nation would uphold the
strong morals and democratic values found
with country living.
• Repealed many of the Federalist Programs
such as the tax that caused the Whiskey
Rebellion.
• He also allowed the Alien and Sedition Acts
to expire.
Hamilton-Burr Duel
• In the 1804 election, the DemocraticRepublicans replaced Aaron Burr as
their candidate for Vice President.
• Burr decided to run for governor of New
York.
• Alexander Hamilton (a long time enemy)
campaigns vigorously against Burr
saying he’s dangerous and should never
be trusted.
Hamilton-Burr Duel
Burr loses the election and was furious and challenged to Hamilton to a duel.
Hamilton refused to duel, but Burr shot him anyway.
Hamilton-Burr Duel
• Hamilton dies later the next day.
• Burr is arrested but later aquitted.
FUN FACT
(cause I know you love them!)
Although Hamilton did not actually want to duel, he did fire!
No one knows which man fired first. Historian Joseph J Ellis
researched the matter and stated…
“Hamilton did fire his weapon intentionally, and he fired
first. But he aimed to miss Burr, sending his ball into the tree
above and behind Burr's location. In so doing, he did not
withhold his shot, but he did waste it, thereby honoring his preduel pledge. Meanwhile, Burr, who did not know about the
pledge, did know that a projectile from Hamilton's gun had
whizzed past him and crashed into the tree to his rear. According
to the principles of the code duello, Burr was perfectly justified in
taking deadly aim at Hamilton and firing to kill. But did he? What
is possible, but beyond the reach of the available evidence, is
that Burr really missed his target, too, that his own fatal shot, in
fact, was accidental?”
CLOSING
• Answer the following question in 3-5
sentences:
How was Jefferson’s personal life reflected
in his political beliefs?