Student Activities for The Election of 1800
Discussion Questions for The 1800 Election
- Who were the major candidates and parties in the election of 1800?
- What major ideas did each candidate have on government? How did they interpret the newly created Constitution?
- What controversies existed within the election of 1800? How were these issues dealt with in succeeding elections and laws?
- Why can we consider the election of 1800 a “revolution”? How does it differ from previous transfer of power across the world, and set the future political stage in America?
- What actions and events defined the presidency of Thomas Jefferson? How are his viewpoints on government exemplified, and how did he go against his principles?
Election of 1800 Background
The election of 1800, sometimes referred to as the “Revolution of 1800”, was the presidential election between Federalist Party candidate John Adams, Democratic-Republican Party candidate Thomas Jefferson, and his running mate Aaron Burr. This election served as the first instance of peaceful transfer of power from one party to the other, and therefore is seen as a “revolution” without bloodshed or violence to mar the transfer of power.
It highlighted the many differences that still survived from the revolutionary factions as well as how democracy in motion would shape the future of power in the United States. Jefferson would play to the common man, and his presidency would demonstrate this. However, controversy, factions, allegiance, and ideas of constitutional interpretation define this monumental, but rocky, presidential election.
The election also exposed the need to separate electoral votes cast for the President and Vice President. When both Jefferson and Burr finished the election with 73 electoral votes, the power to solve this lay in the lame-duck Federalist House of Representatives. After 35 unsuccessful ballots, Jefferson was chosen as president in February of 1801.
Through the assignments in this lesson plan, students will be able to explain and analyze who each candidate was, and their ideas on government and power. Furthermore, students will be able to analyze and discuss the significance of power being transferred between two different political parties without violence. By examining the candidates, their ideas on government, and Jefferson’s presidency (with its controversies), students will gain a broad perspective on an election that shaped politics in the United States for years to come.
How Tos about The Election of 1800: Jefferson vs. Adams
Engage students with a classroom election simulation
Capture student interest by organizing a mock classroom election modeled on the election of 1800. This hands-on activity helps students understand campaign strategies, political parties, and the significance of peaceful power transfer.
Divide students into campaign teams
Assign roles such as candidates, campaign managers, and party strategists to student groups. Encouraging teamwork gives each student a chance to contribute ideas and learn about both Federalist and Democratic-Republican platforms.
Guide students to develop campaign materials
Encourage creativity by having students create posters, slogans, and speeches based on historical facts. They'll learn to distill complex political ideas into persuasive messages, just like Adams and Jefferson.
Host debates and campaign events
Facilitate engaging debates where students present their candidate's viewpoints and respond to questions. This builds public speaking skills and deepens their understanding of the major issues in the election of 1800.
Hold a secret ballot and discuss results
Simulate voting by having students cast secret ballots and tally the results. Lead a class discussion on how the outcome compares to the historical election, emphasizing the importance of peaceful power transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Election of 1800: Jefferson vs. Adams
What was the significance of the election of 1800 in American history?
The election of 1800 marked the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in the United States. It set a precedent for democratic processes and is often called the "Revolution of 1800" due to its impact on shaping future American politics.
Who were the main candidates and political parties in the election of 1800?
The main candidates were John Adams of the Federalist Party and Thomas Jefferson of the Democratic-Republican Party. Aaron Burr ran as Jefferson's vice-presidential candidate, also representing the Democratic-Republicans.
Why is the election of 1800 sometimes called a "revolution"?
The election is called a "revolution" because it was the first time in history that power shifted peacefully from one political party to another in the United States, without violence or upheaval.
How did the election of 1800 reveal issues in the electoral process?
The election exposed flaws in the original electoral system, as Jefferson and Burr tied with 73 votes each. This led to the House of Representatives deciding the outcome and later to the 12th Amendment, which separated presidential and vice presidential ballots.
What are some classroom activities to teach students about the election of 1800?
Effective classroom activities include role-playing debates between Adams and Jefferson, analyzing primary sources, creating timelines, and discussing the impact of the peaceful transfer of power on American democracy.
- Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) • Political Graveyard • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- James Monroe, U.S. Secretary of State • U.S. Department of State • License United States Government Work (http://www.usa.gov/copyright.shtml)
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