Overview
This lecture covers the presidential election of 1800, its connection to the maturing of the new nation, the workings and flaws of the Electoral College, the tie and its resolution, and the election's lasting significance.
The Virginia Dynasty and Political Stability
- From 1800–1825, three Virginia presidents (Jefferson, Madison, Monroe) led the nation, providing political stability.
- All three presidents were Democratic-Republicans and served two terms each.
- This period helped stabilize and mature the U.S. after the turbulent 1780s and 1790s.
The Electoral College System in 1800
- The Electoral College is the process created by the Constitution for electing the president.
- Electors were chosen by state legislatures, based on the number of senators and representatives per state.
- Each elector cast two votes for two different people thought fit for president.
- The person with the most votes became president; the runner-up became vice president.
- The system favored larger, more populated states.
- The founders did not anticipate political parties when designing this system.
Candidates and Election Dynamics
- Democratic-Republicans ran Thomas Jefferson (VA) and Aaron Burr (NY).
- Federalists ran John Adams (MA) and Charles Pinckney (SC).
- Both parties ran two candidates to avoid sharing power with the opposition.
The Election of 1800 and the Tie
- 73 Democratic-Republican and 65 Federalist electors were chosen.
- All Democratic-Republican electors voted for both Jefferson and Burr, resulting in a tie.
- Both candidates had a majority, but the tie had to be resolved.
- Burr refused to step aside, actively pursuing the presidency.
Resolving the Tie: The House of Representatives
- The tie sent the election to the House of Representatives, where each state had one vote.
- The House, full of Federalists, held 35 tied votes between Jefferson and Burr.
- Alexander Hamilton intervened, breaking the tie by supporting Jefferson over Burr.
- On the 36th ballot, Jefferson won and became the third president.
Lasting Significance of the Election of 1800
- The 12th Amendment was passed to prevent similar electoral issues, requiring separate ballots for president and vice president.
- Only the elections of 1800 and 1824 were decided by the House of Representatives.
- Marked the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in U.S. history.
- Jefferson emphasized that American political differences were about opinion, not principle.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Electoral College — Constitutional mechanism for states to elect the president via chosen electors, not by direct popular vote.
- Elector — Person selected by state legislatures to cast votes in the Electoral College.
- 12th Amendment — Constitutional change requiring separate votes for president and vice president by the Electoral College.
- Constitutional Crisis — A situation where the Constitution does not provide a clear resolution to a political problem.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the process and flaws of the Electoral College as described.
- Read about the 12th Amendment and its impact on future elections.
- Prepare for discussion on Jefferson's presidency and subsequent events.