Blood Feud II: Jefferson v. Adams

The 1800 presidential election was the dirtiest ever. President John Adams was running for re-election against Vice President Thomas Jefferson. This was a rematch from 1796. When the dust cleared, Adams was defeated, but Jefferson had not yet won. The election was thrown into the House of Representatives as Jefferson's running mate attempted to grab the presidency for himself.
The Federalists openly accused Jefferson of being Godless. They warned that atheism and rape would be openly taught in America under Jefferson. On top of this, Jefferson supported the French Revolution. If elected, Jefferson would send his fellow Americans to the guillotine. The Adams Administration also used the Sedition Act to lock up unfriendly newspapermen.
While the Federalists' accused Jefferson of being the next Robespierre, the Jeffersonians accused Adams of wanting to be the next King George III. They decried Adams' monarchical tendencies and desire for power. This charge is ironic considering Adams was one of the leading American Revolutionaries.
When the Electoral College voted, Adams was defeated, but Jefferson had not won. He remained tied in the Electoral College with his Vice-Presidential running mate, Aaron Burr. The party asked Burr to concede some votes to Jefferson and take his place as Veep. Burr declined. The election was thrown into the House.
The Federalists held the balance of power in the House of Representatives. The Democratic-Republicans lined up behind their party leader against the upstart. The Federalists were split. Many wanted to support Burr just to stick it to Jefferson. Their decision fell to Alexander Hamilton.
Hamilton hated Jefferson with a passion. The two were rivals and polar opposites. Jefferson reciprocated Hamilton's hate. Despite their history, Hamilton decided to support Jefferson. He considered Burr too dangerous to trust with power. In the end, Hamilton instructed his supporters to throw in with the Jeffersonians. The House elected Jefferson third president.
Jefferson's selection by the House ushered in the so-called "Revolution of 1800." The nation moved toward a more egalitarian society for whites and a more oppressive society for blacks. Within a generation, all white men could vote. Jefferson's elevation from V.P. to the presidency may also have averted civil war. Democratic-Republican governors were beginning to talk war if Jefferson was denied by the Federalists in the House of Representatives.
Tags: Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, The Presidency, Elections, History