The Election of 1800 and its Aftermath

Jul 20, 2024

The Election of 1800 and its Aftermath

Jefferson vs. Adams

  • Jefferson defeats Adams: 73 vs. 65 electoral college votes.
  • Impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise: Boost for Jefferson from the South.
  • Quote: Jefferson "written into the temple of liberty on the shoulders of slaves."
  • Democratic-Republicans controlled Senate, House, and Presidency.

Constitutional Challenge

  • Article 2, Section 1: Each elector had two votes (President and VP).
  • In 1800, Jefferson and Burr received 73 votes each; Adams 65 votes.
  • Tie breaks in the House of Representatives, controlled by lame-duck Federalists.

House of Representatives Deadlock

  • Potential for Federalists to back Burr over Jefferson.
  • Madison (Governor of Virginia) threatened civil insurrection.
  • Alexander Hamilton supported Jefferson, opposed Burr.
  • Jefferson wins on House's 35th vote after some Federalists cast blank ballots.
  • Result: 12th Amendment in 1804 separated electoral votes for President and VP.

Revolution of 1800

  • Peaceful transfer from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans.
  • Importance: Establishes precedent for peaceful power transfer.
  • Jefferson: Moderate economic policies; retains Bank of the U.S.
  • Repeals direct and whiskey taxes, cuts spending, reduces military by half.
  • Creates Army Corps of Engineers and West Point Military Academy (1802).

Judiciary Act of 1801 and Midnight Appointments

  • Enlarges judiciary, packed with Federalist judges (midnight appointments).
  • Democratic-Republicans viewed it as expensive and unnecessary.
  • Repealed Act over Federalist opposition; some judges remained.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

  • Secretary of State Madison refused to deliver commissions to new judges.
  • William Marbury (one of the midnight appointees) sued.
  • Chief Justice John Marshall's ruling established judicial review.
  • Supreme Court has the authority to declare laws unconstitutional.

Jefferson's Presidency

  • Inaugural Address:
    • U.S. neutrality in foreign affairs.
    • Political unity and respect for minority rights.
  • Reduced formality in the presidency:
    • Casual dinners, pale male seating.
    • Reduced clothing formality, lived in Presidential Palace (White House).
  • Term "First Lady" origins: Host duties of presidential events.

Judiciary Conflicts

  • Democratic-Republicans impeached incompetent Federalist Judge John Pickering.
  • Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase impeached but acquitted.
  • Sets precedent: Impeachment requires criminal behavior, not political disagreement.

Key Themes

  • Judicial Review: Supreme Court's role in declaring laws unconstitutional.
  • Importance of respecting election results and minority rights in a democracy.
  • Jefferson's practical governance: balancing ideology vs. the needs of being in power.

Next step: Take the Revolution of 1800 lecture recap quiz.