The Election of 1796

1
The Election of 1796

• With George Washington announcing his retirement,
  the country looks for a new leader.
• Leading Candidates
• John Adams
• Thomas Jefferson
• Alexander Hamilton
• Thomas Pinckney
• James Madison

2
So who wants to be President?

• John Adams YES!
• Has already been VP for 8 years.
• Problem not well liked
• Alexander Hamilton NO!
• Likes working behind the scenes
• Problem hates Jefferson
• Thomas Pickney YES!
• Why not?
• Problem not well known

• Thomas Jefferson YES!
• Picked by GW
• Problem hates Hamilton
• James Madison YES!
• Why not?
• Problem thinks hes the smartest person ever!

3
Remember Washingtons warning

• George Washington believed that making political
  parties would weaken the government.
• Political parties
• Groups that help get people elected in government

4
Let the election process begin

• Each party picks 2 people to run for President.
• Federalists
• John Adams
• Thomas Pinckney
• Democratic Republican
• Thomas Jefferson
• James Madison

5
The attacks begin

• John Adams attacks Thomas Jefferson
• TJ wants to make America like France!
• Jefferson cant keep a job!
• Thats why he quit as Secretary of State!
• Meanwhile,
• Pinckney stops campaigning

• Thomas Jefferson attacks John Adams
• Adams is an elitist who hates farmers!
• Adams is stupid!
• Its his wife who is smart
• Meanwhile,
• Madison stops campaigning

6
(No Transcript)
7
Election of 1796

• John Adams
• Gets 51 of the vote
• Thomas Jefferson
• Gets 49 of the vote
• Electoral College picks
• John Adams as President
• Thomas Jefferson as VP

8
Review Questions

• What were the names of the first 2 political
  parties in America?
• Who was the winner of the election of 1796?
• Who became the VP and why?