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This presidential election of 1800 became known as the "[[Revolution of 1800]]," because it was the first '''''peaceful''''' change in power due to an election in modern history: the group in power, the Federalist Party, was defeated by a group not in power, the Democratic-Republican Party.  The Democratic-Republican candidates, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, were victorious over the incumbent (Federalist) John Adams.<ref>Thomas Jefferson had been John Adams Vice President, which seems odd today.</ref>  The victory by Jefferson and Burr against Adams was a victory for limited government and a "strict constructionist" interpretation of the Constitution.

This presidential election of 1800 became known as the "[[Revolution of 1800]]," because it was the first '''''peaceful''''' change in power due to an election in modern history: the group in power, the Federalist Party, was defeated by a group not in power, the Democratic-Republican Party.  The Democratic-Republican candidates, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, were victorious over the incumbent (Federalist) John Adams.<ref>Thomas Jefferson had been John Adams Vice President, which seems odd today.</ref>  The victory by Jefferson and Burr against Adams was a victory for limited government and a "strict constructionist" interpretation of the Constitution.

At the time, the electoral college voted for both president and vice president.  Jefferson and his running mate, Aaron Burr, each received 73 electoral votes.  It made sense that everyone who voted for Jefferson would also vote for his running mate, since both were with the same political party, the Democratic-Republicans.  But the inability of the election system to resolve this "tie" reflected a mistake in the Constitution in how Presidents and Vice Presidents were chosen, which had to be fixed by the [[12th Amendment]].  Prior to the 12th Amendment, the House of Representatives had to resolve the tie.

At the time, the electoral college voted for both President and Vice President.  Jefferson and his running mate, Aaron Burr, each received 73 electoral votes.  It made sense that everyone who voted for Jefferson would also vote for his running mate, since both were with the same political party, the Democratic-Republicans.  But the inability of the election system to resolve this "tie" reflected a mistake in the Constitution in how Presidents and Vice Presidents were chosen, which had to be fixed by the [[12th Amendment]].  Prior to the 12th Amendment, the House of Representatives had to resolve the tie.

In the House of Representatives, many Federalists supported Burr and liked him more than Jefferson.  But Burr was actually a bad guy.  As the grandson of [[Jonathan Edwards]], Burr had access and wealth, and a good deal of charm.  Yet even the charitable [[George Washington]], who got along well with everyone, felt compelled to banish Burr during the Revolution.  Now the House of Representatives needed to choose between Burr and Jefferson as to which would be President.

In the House of Representatives, many Federalists supported Burr and liked him more than Jefferson.  But Burr was actually a bad guy.  As the grandson of [[Jonathan Edwards]], Burr had access and wealth, and a good deal of charm.  Yet even the charitable [[George Washington]], who got along well with everyone, felt compelled to banish Burr for misbehavior during the Revolution.  Now the House of Representatives needed to choose between Burr and Jefferson as to who would be President.

Hamilton had fought Jefferson for over a decade.  But Hamilton knew that Burr was rotten to the core.  So Hamilton persuaded congressmen to make Jefferson President.  He said that Burr was "the most unfit man in the United States for the office of president."  Some suspect that Jefferson privately cut a deal with the Federalist Hamilton to act like more like a Federalist as President than Jefferson would have otherwise.  After many "ballots" (votes), the House of Representatives at long last elected Jefferson on the thirty-sixth (36th) ballot.

Hamilton had fought Jefferson in politics for over a decade.  But Hamilton knew that Burr was rotten to the core.  So Hamilton persuaded congressmen to make Jefferson the President.  Hamilton said that Burr was "the most unfit man in the United States for the office of president."  Some suspect that Jefferson privately cut a deal with the Federalist Hamilton to act like more like a Federalist as President than Jefferson would have otherwise.  Regardless, after many "ballots" (votes), the House of Representatives at long last elected Jefferson on the thirty-sixth (36th) ballot.

Jefferson had a surprise waiting for him when he was sworn into the office of President.  Before President Adams left office, Congress passed a Judiciary Act which created new federal courts.  President Adams immediately appointed Federalist judges to all of the new positions.   

Jefferson had a surprise waiting for him when he was sworn into the office of President.  Before President Adams left office, Congress had passed a Judiciary Act which created new federal courts.  President Adams appointed Federalist judges to all of the new judicial positions.   

When Jefferson took office, he refused to pay the salaries of these "midnight judges" appointed by Adams.  This led to the famous court case of ''Marbury v. Madison'' (1803), where the Supreme Court held in Jefferson's favor by declaring a provision of the Judiciary Act to be unconstitutional.  This was the first time that the Supreme Court held a federal law to be unconstitutional.

When Jefferson took office, he refused to pay the salaries of some of these "midnight judges" appointed by Adams.  This led to the famous court case of ''Marbury v. Madison'' (1803), where the Supreme Court held in Jefferson's favor by declaring a provision of the Judiciary Act to be unconstitutional.  This was the first time that the Supreme Court held a federal law to be unconstitutional.  In recent years the Supreme Court has held many federal laws to be unconstitutional.

== Jefferson Administration ==

== Jefferson Administration ==