Thomas Jefferson referred to the election that led to his presidency as “the Revolution of 1800” since it was the first time ever in the United States history that power shifted from one party to the other. Jefferson intended to govern in the footsteps of the founders of the nation focusing more on the decentralization of the government and trust that people would make the right decisions for themselves. Historian Thomas Connelly documented that “the election confirmed the emergence of a two-party system in American politics, a development that must have seemed ironic to some Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.” Most people believed in the words of George Washington which asserted that the emergence of parties would cause more harm than good. Washington was able to command enough respect that led to his unanimous wins in 1789 and 1792. However, John Adams, his successor, experienced many political factions during his time. Adams and the Federalists led using a specific philosophy which the then Vice President, Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans found to contradict many democratic principles as instituted by the founding fathers. The Revolution of 1800 was a legal and constitutional strategy that Jefferson used to defeat President John Adams in the presidential elections, a leader who had failed to live up to the democratic tenets and ideals of America.
The Meaning of the Revolution
Adams experienced a torrid time as president as he faced deep divisions that mainly emanated from the widespread dissatisfactions with the direction in which the country was taking. In his letter to Judge Spencer Roane in 1819, Thomas Jefferson recalls the torrid moments that eventually led to his elections as the president of the US. In his letter, he equated the revolution of 1800 to that of 1776. In his mind, the election was a revolution in the perspective of the principles of government. Although armed conflict did not characterize the revolution, it composed of the "rational and peaceable instrument of reform and the suffrage of the people." Jefferson's victory over the Federalists had taken a new twist especially with the immense level of support that he acquired from the citizens. He had become the politics of intrigue and faction and most fundamentally, ensured that the country was back on its true republican course. In March 1801, Jefferson wrote, "the storm, through which we have passed, has been tremendous indeed." Before the presidency of Jefferson, the late 18th century was characterized by a type of politics based on the "baneful spirit of the party" where leaders enhanced polarization, especially in their opinions. It, therefore, appeared that the young country was always on the verge of a civil war.
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Jefferson’s Philosophy
Understanding Jefferson's philosophy and his ways of thinking is an essential step in appreciating why he equated his election to the presidency in 1800 to a revolution. When he assumed the position of the Secretary of State during the administration of Washington, he was astonished that most of the political discourse within the inner circles of the government majorly focused on the “preference of a kingly over republican government.” As such, this was a good step in shaping his philosophy based on the vehement opposition of the policies fronted by the Federalists. His republicanism mainly centered on the rejection of an aristocratic and monarchical rule. He also showed firm belief in the supremacy of the individual rights of people and the sovereignty of the states. As such, most of his principles were shaped by his fidelity to the nation's constitution. In his mind, what transpired in the 1790s under Washington and Adams was a clear subversion of the constitution. Adam's presidency, for instance, failed to create any platform for the reconciliation of the warring parties. The nation also experienced wrangles with France hence putting it in a vulnerable position.
The Course of the Jefferson’s Revolution
Critical to note is that the Republicans did not have any intention of engaging in an armed conflict to win the battle of governance. Jefferson decided to stand up and convince the people that if they felt the threat posed by the government, then it would be essential for them to find means in which the government can be removed using constitutional methods. As the year 1800 approached, the Republicans mounted a serious campaign against the policies fronted by the Federalists in various platforms including the press, meetings, and other democratic societies across the country. Some of the candidates that contested the elections included Aaron Burr, John Adams, Charles Cotesworth, and of course, Thomas Jefferson. It was a bitterly contested election with the campaign taking different platforms including the press and the pulpit. However, when the results came in, it was apparent that the Republicans had defeated the opposition brought about by the Federalists. However, in the wake of triumph, a serious challenged emerged as both Jefferson and Burr tied at 73 in the electoral votes. Therefore each of them required a vote from the sitting House of Representatives which was primarily dominated by the Federalists. The election was marred with a delay that increased public tension. However, on February 17th, Jefferson was elected leading to an end of what was termed as a “fruitless election that agitated the mind of the people.”
The Federalists V the Republicans
The build-up to what Jefferson termed as the revolution of 1800 was characterized by verbal attacks and suspicion between the Federalists and the Republicans, something that played a significant role in increasing the tension in the country. In 1800, there were two clear choices in John Adams and Thomas Jefferson members of the Federalist and Republicans respectively. Federalists had fears that a Jefferson presidency would return all the powers to the states, disturb Hamilton's financial system, and further dismantle the status of the army and the navy. On the other hand, the Republicans had their reservation with regards to the Federalists. For instance, they accused them of creating a vast standing army, imposing heavy taxes on the citizens, misuse of the federal courts and troops, and most fundamentally, contempt of the liberties enjoyed by the American people. Republicans further opined that the primary aim of the Federalists was to enhance the centralization of power in the national government and also engage the US in a European war by supporting Britain. Federalists retaliated by calling Jefferson an "atheist in religion, and a fanatic in politics." Supporters of Jefferson responded by claiming that President Adams was a monarchist who wanted to reunite Britain with its former colonies.
The Aftermath of the Election
Jefferson's election is regarded as one of the most significant political victories in the history of the US. He believed in the sovereignty of the people and the republican principles of 1776. In one of his letters directed to a political ally, he asserted that "we can no longer say there is nothing new under the sun. For this whole chapter in the history of man is new." In his inaugural address in 1801, he focused on two critical aspects including recovery and reconciliation. "Let us then, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind…'' He continued. He stressed the importance of harmony and social interaction as the building blocks of true liberty. He also emphasized on the unity between the Republicans and the Federalists and maintained that his unification was a sign of peace between the two political nemeses. The revolution had begun, and one of its main challenges was to create the strongest government on earth. He was also inclined towards restoring the country to a position of serving as an example to others and acting as felicity of freedom.
What the 1800 Revolution Meant To the People
Many citizens in the US regarded the election of Jefferson in 1800 as a revolution. It was however different from the initial revolutions given that the change of power from the Federalists to the Republicans was within the legal bounds and most fundamentally, bloodless. However, the changes were profound and meant a lot to the American people. Critical to note is that the Federalists lost both controls of the presidency and the Congress. The American people showed readiness for change. Despite the fact that the Federalists had established a strong government, it sometimes showed massive shortcomings especially on the main principle of the American government which is to show responsiveness to the will of the people. They employed several policies that only alienated a large group of people. For instance, in 1798, the government enacted taxes on houses, slaves, and lands hence virtually affecting every property owner living in the country. The people saw Jefferson as an embodiment of a revolution given that he had gathered a large number of small farmers, shopkeepers, and other workers behind him. The 1800 election was therefore a platform for the workers to assert themselves to Jefferson. He enjoyed an extraordinary support from many people because he supported American idealism. In his inaugural speech, he pointed out that he would “leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry, and improvement” in referring to the people.
Challenges Facing the Revolution
The Jeffersonian Democracy was one of the most important ideals of the American people. However, his time in office did not come without problems since the Federalists were determined to ensure that his principles failed. Although the Federalists did not control the national politics as they used to do in the late 18th century, they remained a critical force in the life of a significant portion of Americans and further resented most of Jefferson’s development. Throughout Jefferson’s era, the Chief Justice, John Marshall, was a staunch Federalist. Although his political opponents were now in charge of the national government, he consistently supported the supremacy of the federal over the state's power. He, therefore, led the courts to support legal precedents that endorsed the superiority of the national government. Another challenge normally regarded as a flaw of the "Second Revolution" was the administration's tendency to embrace slavery. Most of the elites in the party owned slaves and thus had no intention of including the blacks in the commitment to slavery. Despite his public confession that slavery was indeed a bad thing, he did not see a way of eliminating the institution. In conclusion, the Revolution of 1800 was Jefferson’s victory as the third president of the United States. He regarded it as a revolution mainly because power had shifted parties and thus, a new opportunity to restore the country in the path of democracy became a reality. The election between the Federalists and Republicans was a war of principles and ideologies with Jefferson emerging the winner due to his deep connection with the American ideals. The beginning of the 19th century was, therefore, a new dawn for the Americans who had longed for a government that would stick to the principles of governance as described by the founding fathers. The citizens remained optimistic with the new administration hoping that the mistakes of Adams would be adequately corrected. The revolution came with various challenges including the influence of the Federalists and the institution of slavery which was a mainstay in the country.
Bibliography
Cappon, Lester J., Ed. The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams. UNC Press Books, 2012. Jefferson, Thomas, and Noble E. Cunningham. The Inaugural Addresses of President Thomas Jefferson, 1801 and 1805. University of Missouri Press, 2001. Jefferson, Thomas, James P. McClure, and Barbara B. Oberg. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 29: 1 March 1796 to 31 December 1797. Vol. 29. Princeton University Press, 1950. Jefferson, Thomas. Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1790: together with a summary of the chief events in Jefferson's life. GP Putnam's sons, 1914. Mansfield, Harvey C. "Thomas Jefferson." In American Political Thought, pp. 49-76. Routledge, 2017. Sisson, Dan. The American Revolution of 1800: How Jefferson Rescued Democracy from Tyranny and Faction—and What This Means Today. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2014.
