Presidential campaign of 1800, An Election Causing Constitutional Crisis
The opponents in the Presidential campaign of 1800 were Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr against John Adams and Charles Pinckney.
This second Presidential election between Jefferson and Adams was, as in the previous election, fraught with bitterness.
The Republicans had an overwhelming victory over the Federalist.
But, out of the Republican triumph, a fresh crisis was introduced. Jefferson and Burr had tied for the Presidency, with each receiving 73 electoral votes.
Constitutionally, the deadlock was to be broken be the sitting House of Representatives, and therein lies the rub. The sitting House of Representatives was dominated by Federalists.
The Federalist House began plotting. They could elect Burr to keep Jefferson from the Presidency. Another ploy being they could extract concessions in return for voting for Jefferson.
Early in 1801, there was a rumor that the Federalists intended to defeat the election altogether and elect a President by act of Congress.
Due to fears of civil war, the House assembled on February 9, 1801. But, after several days, there was still no resolution.
In the streets of Washington, tens of thousands of people had gathered. They were extremely agitated with the Federalist’s attempt to undermine the election.
Then, on February 17, on the thirty-sixth ballot, some Federalists capitulated and Jefferson was elected President.
Jefferson’s election was a great political victory, which vindicated his belief in the principles of 1776 and the Constitution.
It should be noted that problems which arose due to the Electoral tie was the reason for Constitutional Amendment XII.
