The Election of 1800, often referred to as “The Revolution of 1800,” was a significant and transformative moment in early U.S. history. This election saw a fierce contest between Federalist incumbent John Adams and Democratic-Republican challenger Thomas Jefferson, marking one of the most important elections in the young nation’s history.
A Rough Four Years
The relationship between President John Adams and his Vice President, Thomas Jefferson, was fraught with tension. As you may recall from the 1796 election, Adams narrowly won the presidency, while Jefferson, his political rival, became Vice President due to the rules of the time, which awarded the vice presidency to the runner-up in the electoral vote. This arrangement led to a deeply awkward and contentious partnership between two men from opposing political parties.
Adams’ domestic and foreign policies further exacerbated their rivalry. On the foreign policy front, Adams and many Federalists favored closer ties with Great Britain, a stance that angered Jefferson and his fellow Democratic-Republicans, who were more sympathetic to France, particularly as the Quasi-War with France unfolded.
The Quasi-War, a naval conflict between the U.S. and France, was triggered by French seizures of American ships trading with Britain. This conflict escalated when diplomatic efforts failed, leading to several naval engagements until the Treaty of Mortefontaine was signed in September 1800, ending hostilities.
Domestically, Adams faced challenges within his own party, particularly with Alexander Hamilton, whose influence created divisions among Federalists. Furthermore, Adams’ signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts, which restricted free speech and made it harder for immigrants to become citizens, was highly controversial and alienated many voters.
Nasty Campaigning
As historian Tim Naftali once remarked in a CNN documentary, “We’ve had bitter presidential campaigns for centuries.” The election of 1800 was no exception, with mudslinging and personal attacks that seem almost modern by today’s standards.
Critics of John Adams labeled him “His Rotundity” due to his stout physique, while more vicious detractors accused him of possessing a hermaphroditic personality—an insult meant to question his masculinity and leadership. Adams and his new running mate, Charles C. Pinckney, pressed on, hoping the remaining Federalist support would secure re-election.
The Federalists retaliated with their own attacks, branding Jefferson as an atheist and alleging he was the offspring of “Indian and Mulatto parents.” They also criticized his support for France, especially in light of the Quasi-War.
Jefferson, running with New York Senator Aaron Burr as his vice-presidential candidate, aimed to avoid the electoral confusion of 1796. Both parties sought to ensure their vice-presidential candidates received sufficient votes to avoid a repeat of the previous election’s outcome, where the president and vice president hailed from opposing parties.
The Results
The election results were close, but the outcome was clear: Thomas Jefferson won with 73 electoral votes, while John Adams received 65, and Charles Pinckney garnered 64. Adams became the first U.S. president to serve only one term.
In the popular vote, Jefferson received 60.5%, while Adams managed 39.4%, marking the most one-sided presidential election up to that point. This election is often referred to as “The Revolution of 1800” because it represented the first peaceful transfer of power between two political parties in the U.S.
Several factors were crucial to Jefferson’s victory. For instance, Aaron Burr’s use of a New York political machine, which later became known as Tammany Hall, helped swing the state in favor of the Democratic-Republicans. Additionally, the Three-Fifths Compromise, which increased the political power of slaveholding states, played a significant role. Southern states, where Jefferson was popular, benefited from the extra electoral votes provided by this compromise. Had it not been for this, Adams might have won the election despite losing the popular vote.
A Contingent Election
However, the election was far from over. Jefferson and Burr each received 73 electoral votes, leading to a tie that had to be resolved by the House of Representatives. This contingent election proved highly contentious, as neither candidate could initially secure the necessary votes. Federalists favored Burr, while Democratic-Republicans supported Jefferson, leading to a deadlock after 35 ballots.
The impasse was finally broken thanks to the intervention of Alexander Hamilton, who, despite his differences with Jefferson, believed him to be a safer choice for president than Burr. Hamilton’s influence persuaded enough representatives to vote for Jefferson, securing his place as the third president of the United States.
Conclusion
Thomas Jefferson’s election marked the beginning of Democratic-Republican dominance in U.S. politics and the end of the Federalist era. While Jefferson emerged victorious, the bitter campaign and the contingent election highlighted the deep divisions in the young republic. As for Alexander Hamilton, his role in the election’s outcome would have lasting consequences, particularly in his relationship with Aaron Burr, which, as history and popular culture remind us, would end in tragedy.
