Revolution of 1800
By: Mike • Essay • 512 Words • March 24, 2010 • 1,537 Views
Revolution of 1800
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were 2 rivals that were candidates in the tense election of 1800. Eventually, Jefferson had defeated Adams in the electoral voting column 73-65. However, his running mate, Aaron Burr tied with him in the electoral ballot. The situation was taken to the House of Representatives to try and break the tie which eventually was, thus electing our president of the time, Thomas Jefferson. The election of 1800 was regarded as “The Revolution of 1800” in regards to a change politically from control of the federal government shifting from federalist to republican, and judicially, pertaining to the Marbury vs. Madison case, and the idea of judicial review.
From a political standpoint, there was a “change” in terms of the federal government. Jefferson himself meant that his election represented a return to what he considered the original spirit of the Revolution. In his own viewpoint, Hamilton and Adams had betrayed the ideals of 1776 and 1787. His mission, as he saw it, was to restore the republican experiment, to check the growth of government power, and to halt the decay of virtue that had set it under Federalist rule. The Federalists quietly accepted their defeat in the election of 1800 and “peacefully” relinquished control of the federal government to Jefferson’s party, the Democratic-republicans. This “bloodless” and “non-violent” change defined the election as the Revolution of 1800. This was an achievement for a young nation like the United States. It was an achievement in the sense after all the partisan bitterness that agitated the country during John Adam’s presidency. It was also an achievement in which Britain couldn’t accomplish for another generation. After nearly 10 years of doubt and division, American was allowed to take pride in their experiment for democracy.
Judicially, there was a change in regards to the Marbury