Section Warm-Up
Elections. They happen all the time in the United States. Chances are there will be an election in your area in the not-too-distant future.
What happens in the United States after an election? If the incumbent wins, he or she stays in office. If the challenger wins, the incumbent leaves office. Moreover, if an election results in the minority party in Congress winning a majority of the seats, then the balance of power shifts. These transfers of power happen all the time following American elections today. We take them for granted.
However, heading into the election of 1800, there had never been a peaceful transfer of power. When John Adams replaced George Washington as president, it was a case of one Federalist taking over for another Federalist who wanted to retire. The same political party remained in power. The situation would change in 1800.
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Check out this Web site to learn more about the Election of 1800 and its significance. |
