After years of the Federalists maintaining power, the election of 1800 represented a stark shift. Vice President Thomas Jefferson defeated incumbent John Adams and the United States underwent the first transition of power from one faction to another since its founding. Did the election of 1800 represent a "Second Revolution?" What were some of the tensions surrounding party transition at the time? What was the Federalist reaction to the loss?
View the recording of our May 27 webinar, "1800: Republicans, Federalists, and Party Transition," to find out.
This event featured Joseph Ellis, Professor Emeritus of History at Mount Holyoke College; Edward J. Larson, University Professor of History at Pepperdine University; and Peter S. Onuf, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Virginia. The discussion was moderated by David Randall, NAS director of research.
