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- Repealed Act over Federalist opposition; some judges remained.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.