The Election of 1800 - Timeline of Major Events
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The Election of 1800: Jefferson vs. Adams
Lesson Plans by Richard Cleggett
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.
Storyboard Description
The Election of 1800 Timeline of Major Events
Storyboard Text
- ADAMS WINS PRESIDENCY
- A new era has begun!
- MAJOR EVENTS SURROUNDING THE ELECTION OF 1800
- John Adams wins the presidency of 1796. A leader of the Federalist party, Adams is the first president elected after the tenure of George Washington. His ideas on a strong federal government and nationalized banking prove unpopular.
- ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS
- You are hereby charged with TREASON!
- ELECTION OF 1800
- FEDERALISTS
- REPUBLICANS
- In 1798, Adams signed the Alien and Sedition Acts. These acts made attaining citizenship more difficult, and acted as measures to prevent subversive factions. It also restricted speech against the Federalist government. They targeted Republican supporters.
- VOTE GOES TO THE HOUSE
- In the much anticipated election, pitting Adams against Jefferson once again, the potential of power being transferred to another party became reality. Coming off the coattails of unpopular actions, the Federalist party was weakened. Jefferson won with 73 electoral votes.
- I, Hamilton, will swing this vote!
- Not only does Jefferson score 73 electoral votes, but so does his running mate and fellow Democratic-Republican, Aaron Burr. The vote then was decided in the House of Representatives. Finally, Jefferson was elected on the 36th vote.
- JEFFERSON WINS PRESIDENCY
- On February 17th, 1801, Jefferson was officially declared president after securing the House vote. Hamilton, a Federalist, was key in his victory. Despising Burr, Hamilton convinced other congressional members Jefferson was the safer choice. It worked. Jefferson was elected.
- RATIFICATION OF THE 12TH AMENDMENT
- The election of 1800 exposed flaws in the voting system. Party members ran on the same ticket as each other, yet electors cast two votes for president. This proved problematic. With the 12th amendment, electors now had to cast separate votes, one for president, and one for vice president.
- PRESIDENTIAL VOTE
- VICE-PRESIDENTIAL VOTE
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