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The Peaceful Transfer of Power:. From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson. The Election of 1800. Re-match of Election 1796 (Adams vs. Jefferson) Main issues: Relations with France and Alien/Sedition Acts This election is seen as the first modern campaign:
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The Peaceful Transfer of Power: From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson
The Election of 1800 • Re-match of Election 1796 (Adams vs. Jefferson) • Main issues: Relations with France and Alien/Sedition Acts • This election is seen as the first modern campaign: • Organized political parties to “get out the vote” • Negative advertising • Extreme bitterness between parties/candidates • Controversy: Since Constitution never envisioned political parties, it made no provision for a separate ballot for the President and Vice-President (the second place vote winner would become the VP). This caused a when Jefferson and his VP Burr ended up in a tie for President. The Federalists in the House of Representatives made it difficult to settle this election.
The Results of the Election The Federalists decided to create a division in the Republican Party by voting for Burr when the election went to the House of Representatives. Alexander Hamilton eventually came to Jefferson’s rescue and the 12th Amendment fix this problem.
The “Lame Duck” Session • The Constitution provides for a long transition between the election and inauguration of a new President. This period allows for tempers to calm and a new President to get ready for the next term. The outgoing President and other elected officials are often called “Lame Ducks.” • What should an outgoing President do during the transition? How should Congressmen behave? • The “lame duck” Federalist Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1801. • The “lame duck” Federalist John Adams appointments judges in his remaining days. These are sometimes called the “midnight appointments/judges”.
Jefferson’s Response: Jefferson used his inaugural address, the speech given by the President at his swearing in ceremony, to announce his Conciliatory Policy. How might these quotes help to characterize Jefferson’s message in his inaugural address? “Friends and fellow country-men” “Differences in opinion are not differences in principle” “We are all Republicans. We are all Federalists”
Jeffersonian Domestic Policies Jefferson’s actions did not always match his ideals. Cabinet: Chose only Republicans as his advisors. Financial: Cut spending and excise taxes, but kept tariffs. The Rule of Law: Allow Sedition Act expire and repealed Alien and Naturalization Acts. However, Madison v. Marbury case (1803) represented Jefferson’s challenge to midnight judges. Marshall has a surprise!
Biggest Domestic Success: Louisiana Purchase (1803) • A growing problem for Jefferson was what to do with the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. • 1,000s of Americans were streaming into territories through the Cumberland Gap. • Troubles with Indians and French (who now control New Orleans.) • Sent Robert Livingston and James Monroe to France to a treaty to ensure access to New Orleans. • Napoleon offered to sell the land (all of it!!!!) Is this Constitutional? How might Jefferson respond?