A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America's First Presidential Campaign

John Adams was an ambitious man who spent many years serving his country in the shadow of more celebrated and charismatic leaders, in particular: Washington during the Revolutionary War and during his Presidency; and Benjamin Franklin during his years in France. Adams, who always nursed visions of his own ascent to political glory, finally got his chance when Washington declined to run for a third term. Adams, the presumptive successor to Washington’s Federalist Presidency, nonetheless started out as an unpopular candidate, fighting off an insurgent challenge from within his own party. Even when he won the Presidency, his unpopularity continued to plague him. He lost favor across the nation due to his handling of affairs with France and his perceived favoring of the British monarchy. 

Jefferson was known for his lifelong commitment to civil liberties. From his early days, as draftsman of the Declaration of Independence, he vocalized his support for the common man’s right to freedom and self-determination. He was ambitious, but deeply principled, never sacrificing his commitment to civil liberties, even when his staunch support for religious freedom was used to cast him in a negative light on the eve of the 1800 election.