1. The Presidential Election of
1800
Dirty Politics, Redefined.

2. The Candidates
Federalists Democratic-Republicans
President John Adams Vice-President
Thomas Jefferson
Charles Pinckney -
US Minister to France Senator Aaron Burr
-pro-manufacturing and trade -pro-agriculture
-supports strong Central -supports strong state
government governments

3. The Federalists' Main Target:
Thomas Jefferson
Federalists called him
an atheist who would:
allow Democratic-
Republicans to murder
Federalists.
burn churches
destroy the country

4. Democratic-Republican complaints:
Democratic-Republicans were somewhat suppressed from
criticizing Adams because of the Sedition Act.
They did criticize the Federalists for supporting Britain and
wanting to make themselves into royalty.

5. Backroom dealings and dirty politics
Alexander Hamilton and a group of so-called "High
Federalists," conspired to sabotage Adams and get Pinckney
elected.
However, Hamilton's plans were exposed and his whole
scheme backfired and split the Federalist Party, allowing the
Democratic-Republicans to win out.
.....but......

6. Problems
Jefferson won the popular vote by a high percentage (61.4%),
but he finished in a tie with Aaron Burr, the other Democratic-
Republican.
Since there was a tie, the election went to the House of
Representatives.
From February 11-17 of 1801, the House voted 35 times with
no winner. Alexander Hamilton furiously tried to convince
many Federalists to vote for Jefferson. He said he supported
Jefferson because he was "by far not so dangerous a man" as
Burr. He'd rather have a president with the "wrong" principles,
than someone (like Burr) who appeared to have none.

7. Results?
On the 36th Ballot, Jefferson was elected.
Aaron Burr became Vice-President. After one term, he was
dropped and then lost an election for Governor of New York.
He blamed Hamilton for his personal failures and challenged
him to a duel.
On July 11, 1804, the two had a pistol duel. Hamilton was
killed.

8. The 12th Amendment
To prevent another fiasco like this one, the 12th Amendment
was put through and ratified.
The amendment provides that the President and Vice-
President will be voted on separately.
In case of an electoral tie, the President is voted on by the
House, and the Vice-President by the Senate.