The Most Contested and Hostile Presidential Election in U.S. History: 1800 Thomas Jefferson vs. John Adams
by Randall J. Cloud
Arguably, the 1800 Presidential Election was the most contested and hostile one in U.S. History (including Trump v. Clinton). John Adams, a Federalist, was the incumbent who faced Thomas Jefferson, the anti-Federalist. This was the third presidential election.
The election results were very close and disputed in the Electoral College resulting in the election being sent to the House of Representatives to be decided by vote. The House voted thirty-five times without reaching the majority required to elect a president. It is said that a deal was reached with moderate Federalists who were persuaded to vote for Jefferson thus deciding the election.
The 1800 presidential election was the first election where the people experienced a contentious and hostile election. It was the first time power was peacefully transferred between rivals without bloodshed. Jefferson saw it as the final chapter in the 1776 revolution. Democracy was rooted.
The contention and hostility stemmed from several underlying themes; however, two themes were pronounced and divisive. First, the choice was seen to be between more Federal Government (Adams) versus less Federal Government (Jefferson). Jefferson represented the people who believed Adams and his supporters were shaping the fledgling federal government into a monarchy and had become too friendly with Britain.
Second, the choice was perceived to be between a Christian President (Adams) versus “non-Christian President” (Jefferson).
The Gazette of the United States newspaper in Philadelphia which was the leading Federalists paper routinely printed the following question in its papers in the Fall of 1800, “Shall I continue in allegiance to God - a religious President, or impiously declare for Jefferson – and no God!!!”
All too often, our media reports we are living in “an unprecedented time”. With some digging, we find that we are actually experiencing yet another example of what it means to live in a Democratic and Capitalistic Country. The United States of America is the greatest country in the history of the world.