Jeffersonian Revolution of 1800 Notes

The Jeffersonian Revolution of 1800

Jeffersonian Republicans vs. Hamiltonian Federalists

  • Jefferson and James Madison were major intellectual and political inspirations for the Jeffersonian Republican movement.
  • Jefferson's ideology:
    • Rural/agrarian worldview, mythologizing a Yeoman Republic.
    • Hostility towards industry, manufacturing, banking, business, and trade.
    • Suspicion of Britain, embrace of Revolutionary France.

Election of 1800

  • Jefferson (Democratic Republican) vs. John Adams (Federalist).
  • Electoral College issues: Tie vote, first peaceful transfer of power.
  • The 3/5ths Clause gave Jefferson 12 extra electoral votes; without it, Adams may have won.
  • Aaron Burr secured New York's electoral votes for Jefferson.

Constitutional Framework and Slavery

  • The 3/5ths Rule enhanced the power of slave owners/states in the Electoral College.

Jefferson as President

  • Jefferson was the first president who was an active party leader.
  • Transformative presidents are partisan leaders.

Jeffersonian Agrarianism

  • Celebrated an idyllic, nostalgic worldview.
  • Jefferson was unsympathetic to merchants, bankers, manufacturers, and cities.

The Enigmatic Politician

  • Jefferson spoke of liberty but held slaves.
  • He disdained politics yet was a master politician.

Election Changes

  • By 1800, only 5 of 16 states had popular elections for Electoral College delegates.

Aaron Burr

  • Burr was a political mastermind and architect of Jeffersonian victory.
  • Burr carried the New York state legislature for Jeffersonians.

Was it a Revolution?

  • Jefferson claimed his 1800 victory was a revolution, but he likely lost the popular vote.

Factors Influencing the Election

  • Adams may not have been as unpopular as later portrayed.
  • The power of incumbency favored Adams.
  • Attacks on Adams may have inadvertently created the perception of him being above faction.

The Federalist Party Legacy

  • The Federalist Party left an enduring legacy.
  • Many former Federalists became major figures in politics, society, and culture.

Jeffersonian Republicanism

  • Jeffersonians called for increased political rights for white males (Herrenvolk Democracy).
  • Slavery massively expanded during Jefferson's era.

Jefferson's Reputation

  • More projected onto Jefferson than any other American.
  • Conservatives focus on limited government; liberals on individual rights.

Jeffersonian Legacies

  • The election raised questions about sovereignty and democracy's definition.
  • Federalist Party's demise caused women's place in politics to decline during Jeffersonian Democracy.