The election of 1796 marked George Washington’s departure after two terms and set the stage for the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans to vie for leadership. Let’s dive into this pivotal election!
Background Information
After two successful terms as president, George Washington delivered his famous farewell address, emphasizing neutrality and warning against partisan conflict. His decision to step down led to the first contested election in American history. Throughout Washington’s presidency, the seeds of partisanship had been sown despite his warnings, and by 1796, the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republicans were poised for a significant electoral showdown.
The Federalist Party Candidates
The Federalist Party, which advocated for a strong federal government and economic growth through measures such as a national bank, had gained considerable influence during Washington’s presidency. Key figures in this party included Alexander Hamilton and Vice President John Adams.
The Federalists put forward several candidates for President and Vice President:
- John Adams: Washington’s Vice President from Massachusetts
- Charles Pinckney: U.S. Minister to France from South Carolina
- Samuel Johnston: Former Senator from North Carolina
- John Jay: Governor of New York
- Oliver Ellsworth: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from Connecticut
- Thomas Pinckney: Governor of South Carolina
- James Iredell: Associate Justice from North Carolina
Democratic-Republican Candidates
In 1792, former Federalist James Madison and Washington’s Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, founded the Democratic-Republican Party from a coalition of Anti-Federalists. Unlike the Federalists, the Democratic-Republicans favored a limited federal government, opposed a national bank, supported agrarianism, and were sympathetic to the French Revolution of 1792.
In this election, Thomas Jefferson, having missed the chance to run for Vice President in 1792 due to the constitutional restriction against electors voting for two candidates from the same state, was now a prominent candidate. The Democratic-Republican candidates were:
- Thomas Jefferson: Former Secretary of State
- Aaron Burr: U.S. Senator from New York
- George Clinton: Former Governor of New York
- Samuel Adams: Governor of Massachusetts and cousin of John Adams
- John Henry: U.S. Senator from Maryland
Mudslinging
Contrary to the belief that early elections were more genteel, the 1796 election was rife with negative campaigning. The Federalists accused the Democratic-Republicans of endorsing the violence of the French Revolution and claimed that Jefferson was overly sympathetic to France and an atheist, which was controversial among religious voters.
In retaliation, the Democratic-Republicans criticized the Federalists for their close ties to Great Britain, using Jay’s Treaty—which eased tensions between the U.S. and Britain—as evidence of Federalist coziness with the British. They also denounced the Federalists’ support for a centralized government and a national bank, warning that such policies might lead to a monarchy or aristocracy similar to Britain.
Alexander Hamilton’s Plan
Alexander Hamilton, The former Secretary of the Treasury and a leading Federalist, had a strategic plan for the 1796 election. He sought to prevent John Adams from becoming president due to previous political conflicts between them. Hamilton’s plan involved persuading voters to support Thomas Jefferson instead of Adams, with the hope that Jefferson would win enough votes to become Vice President. The plan also aimed to elect Thomas Pinckney as President, a choice Hamilton believed could maintain party unity and avoid further division.
The Electoral Results and the 12th Amendment
The election results were close. John Adams won with 71 electoral votes, making him the first Vice President to become President. Thomas Jefferson came in second with 68 electoral votes, securing the Vice Presidency. Hamilton’s plan succeeded in keeping Adams from retaining the Vice Presidency, but Pinckney was unable to win and thus Jefferson is the new VP.
The contentious relationship between Adams and Jefferson was evident, setting the stage for further conflicts. This electoral debacle led to the eventual ratification of the 12th Amendment in 1804, designed to prevent similar issues in future elections.
Other results included Thomas Pinckney in third place with 59 electoral votes, Aaron Burr in fourth with 30 votes, and the remaining candidates receiving fewer votes. Even George Washington, despite his retirement, received some electoral votes, a testament to his enduring popularity.
