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== Revolution of 1800 ==

== Revolution of 1800 ==

Jefferson learned the art of politics by first serving in the House of Burgesses in Virginia (an early Virginia legislative system similar to what became Congress.) Jefferson was a brilliant writer, but a terrible speaker.  In fact, he avoided public speaking whenever possible.  He rarely spoke when he served in the Continental Congress, and when he did speak he expressed anti-religious views that were not shared by others. John Adams wrote about Jefferson:<ref name="Jefferson">http://wiki.monticello.org/mediawiki/index.php/Public_Speaking</ref>

Jefferson learned the art of politics by first serving in the House of Burgesses in Virginia (an early Virginia legislative system similar to what became Congress).  Jefferson was a brilliant writer, but a terrible speaker.  In fact, he avoided public speaking whenever possible.  He rarely spoke when he served in the Continental Congress, and when he did speak he expressed anti-religious views that were not shared by others. John Adams wrote about Jefferson:<ref name="Jefferson">http://wiki.monticello.org/mediawiki/index.php/Public_Speaking</ref>

:Mr. Jefferson had been now about a Year a Member of Congress, but had attended his Duty in the House but a very small part of the time and when there had never spoken in public: and during the whole Time I satt [sic] with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three Sentences together. The most of a Speech he ever made in my hearing was a gross insult on Religion, in one or two Sentences, for which I gave him immediately the Reprehension, which he richly merited.

:Mr. Jefferson had been now about a Year a Member of Congress, but had attended his Duty in the House but a very small part of the time and when there had never spoken in public: and during the whole Time I satt [''sic''] with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three Sentences together. The most of a Speech he ever made in my hearing was a gross insult on Religion, in one or two Sentences, for which I gave him immediately the Reprehension, which he richly merited.

After becoming president, Jefferson remained so afraid of speaking that he refused to read his annual address to Congress, instead insisting on sending it to Congress in written form.<ref name="Jefferson"/>  On other occasions he would have someone else read his speech for him.

After becoming president, Jefferson remained so afraid of speaking that he refused to read his annual address to Congress, instead insisting on sending it to Congress in written form.<ref name="Jefferson"/>  On other occasions he would have someone else read his speech for him.

Jefferson benefited from the formation of political parties.  John Adams, the incumbent president in 1800, was a member of the "Federalist Party," which was strong in the northeast (especially Massachusetts).  It favored a strong national government, friendly dealings with England, and a liberal interpretation of the Constitution ("loose constructionism").  In opposition to this party, the Democratic-Republican Party formed to represent the opposite:  a weak national government (keeping the power at a local level), friendly dealings with France, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution ("strict constructionism").  The Democratic-Republican Party was strongest in Virginia.  Politics is a team sport, and the fortunes of political candidates rose or fell based on the strength of the political party at that time (the same is true today).

Jefferson benefited enormously from the formation of political parties.  John Adams, the incumbent president in 1800, was a member of the "Federalist Party," which was strong in the northeast (especially Massachusetts).  It favored a strong national government, friendly dealings with England, and a liberal interpretation of the Constitution (known as "loose constructionism," because it "loosely" interpreted or construed the Constitution).  In opposition to this party, the Democratic-Republican Party formed to represent the opposite:  a weak national government (keeping the power at a local level, which Virginia preferred), friendly dealings with France, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution ("strict constructionism").  The Democratic-Republican Party was strongest in Virginia.  Politics is a team sport, and the fortunes of political candidates rose or fell based on the strength of the political party to which they belonged.  The same is true today, and this system works reasonably well.

In 1800, when the Federalist Party leader John Adams was President, the Democratic-Republican Party ran Thomas Jefferson (who had founded the party) against Adams in the upcoming presidential election.

In 1800, when the Federalist Party leader John Adams was President, the Democratic-Republican Party ran Thomas Jefferson (who had founded the party) against Adams in the upcoming presidential election.

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 and implementation 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 this early election system to resolve this "tie" reflected a flaw in the Constitution in how Presidents and Vice Presidents were chosen. This was fixed by the [[12th Amendment]], but before that was ratified, the House of Representatives had to resolve the tie between Jefferson and Burr.

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.

In the House of Representatives, many Federalists supported Burr and liked him more than Jefferson.  But Burr was actually a bad guy, despite being the grandson of [[Jonathan Edwards]].  Burr had access and wealth, and a good deal of charm, but was as evil as anyone.  Even the charitable [[George Washington]], who got along well with nearly 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 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.

Hamilton had fought Jefferson in politics for over a decade, and they disliked each other intensely.  But Hamilton knew that Burr was rotten to the core.  So Hamilton persuaded congressmen to choose Jefferson as 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.  Whether Hamilton and Jefferson cut a deal remains a mystery to this day.  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 had passed a Judiciary Act which created new federal courts.  President Adams appointed Federalist judges to all of the new judicial 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 to create many new federal courts below the U.S. Supreme Court, which is created by the Constitution itself.  President Adams appointed Federalist judges to all of the new judicial positions.   

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.

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.  More recently the Supreme Court has held many federal laws to be unconstitutional.

== Jefferson Administration ==

== Jefferson Administration ==