Election of 1800
Mudslinging. Attack advertisements. These are common features in contested American elections. In 2008, for example, John McCain's campaign aired a TV spot that compared Barack Obama to pop icons, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, before asking the question, “Is he ready to lead?” Obama countered by suggesting that McCain had to resort to attack ads because he had nothing positive to say about himself.
Negative campaigning is not a recent development in American politics. The campaign of 1800 featured plenty of mudslinging, rumor mongering, and even brawling among the partisan faithful.
Though both sides had their ardent supporters, the incumbent Federalists had several liabilities heading into the election:
- Americans were still upset about the Alien and Sedition Acts.
- Many people feared the threat to liberty posed by the large standing army the Federalists wanted.
- The Federalists raised taxes.
- Some voters feared that the pro-British Federalists might try to install a monarchy.
- The Federalist Party split even wider when Alexander Hamilton published a pamphlet criticizing Adams as unfit for office.
The Democratic-Republicans swept to victory in 1800, winning both houses of Congress and the presidency.
As noted on the map, Thomas Jefferson and his running mate both finished with 73 electoral votes. According to the Constitution, the House of Representatives would break the tie. The House, at this time, was still controlled by the Federalists—men who despised Jefferson. Some of these Federalists tried to tip the election to Aaron Burr, creating a deadlock. Burr did little to dissuade the Federalists. However, Alexander Hamilton saw an opportunity. Negotiating with Jefferson, he received assurances that the Federalist Bank of the United States and economic policy would continue. Hamilton threw his support behind Jefferson and campaigned against his old political rival, Burr. After 36 ballots, the House finally awarded the presidency to Jefferson.
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Animosity continued to fester between Alexander Hamilton and Vice President Burr. The two men settled their differences in a deadly duel in July 1804. |
