Creating a timeline of the major events relating to the election of 1800 is a great way for students to understand the sequence of events in history and place them within historical context. Students should identify key moments in the political process and events surrounding the election itself (for instance, the ratification of the 12th amendment). Students will be able to identify and explain the major events that defined the election of 1800, providing a solid foundation of historical context for the election.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
Have students create a timeline of events leading to another electoral result, whether it be in national, state, or local politics. This will allow students to gain better context for how events and ideas can shape and change an election. Furthermore, it will allow for historical comparisons between their selected election and the election of 1800.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline that illustrates the major events of the election of 1800.
Using primary sources like letters, newspaper clippings, or political cartoons helps students understand history firsthand. Including them in your timeline makes events more vivid and relatable.
Choose materials that match your students' reading levels and backgrounds. Look for short excerpts, images, or simplified versions of original documents to keep learning accessible.
Encourage students to ask questions about the document’s purpose, audience, and message. This builds critical thinking and helps them connect the source to the timeline event.
Have students summarize what they learned from each source in their timeline descriptions. This reinforces understanding and shows how historical evidence supports their work.
Host a brief discussion where students share their primary source discoveries. Comparing findings highlights different viewpoints and deepens their grasp of the election’s complexity.
The major events of the election of 1800 include the intense rivalry between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the tie in the Electoral College between Jefferson and Aaron Burr, the decision sent to the House of Representatives, and the eventual passage of the 12th Amendment to prevent future electoral deadlocks.
Students can create a timeline by identifying key events before, during, and after the election, adding titles and descriptions for each event, and illustrating with relevant images or scenes. This can be done digitally or as a timeline poster for presentations or gallery walks.
The election of 1800 is considered a turning point because it marked the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in the United States, demonstrating the strength and stability of the young nation’s democratic system.
The 12th Amendment was ratified in response to the electoral tie in 1800. It changed how presidents and vice presidents are elected, requiring separate ballots for each office to prevent future deadlocks like the one between Jefferson and Burr.
Besides timelines, teachers can assign students to create timeline posters for presentations, organize gallery walks, or have students compare the election of 1800 to other historical elections to encourage deeper analysis and engagement.