From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 and the First Peaceful Transfer of Political Power

From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 and the First Peaceful Transfer of Political Power explores the historic moment when the United States demonstrated that political change could occur through elections rather than violence. Focusing on the intense rivalry between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, the book examines how the contested election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson ultimately produced the world’s first peaceful transfer of power between opposing political parties. Through this story, it highlights the origins of American party politics and the enduring lessons the election of 1800 offers for democracies around the world.
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From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 and the First Peaceful Transfer of Political Power - PDF
$0.00
From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 and the First Peaceful Transfer of Political Power - Paperback
$12.99
From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 and the First Peaceful Transfer of Political Power - Bundle of 5
$60.00
From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 and the First Peaceful Transfer of Political Power - Class Set of 25
$250.00
From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 and the First Peaceful Transfer of Political Power - Class Set of 50
$400.00

Overview

In 1800, the American people did something no people had done before. They carried out a peaceful transfer of contested political power with a democratic election. John Zvesper’s From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 and the First Peaceful Transfer of Political Power explains how this unprecedented event happened. To do this, Zvesper recounts the political history of the 1790s with admirable clarity and concision. Behind his striking command of the historical materials, however, is a firm grasp of the profound significance of the election of 1800, and what it means for the possibility of self-government today. All in all, Zvesper has written the best short—perhaps simply the best—account we have of the politics of the 1790s and the election of 1800.

Table of Contents

  1. First Principles: The difference between principled and political disagreements
  2. The Lessons of Constitution Making: The necessity of political parties as vehicles of principles, and political and public opinion
  3. Anxious Confidence: Washington’s leadership and the absence of party politics
  4. Doubts and Disunity: The early consensus fractures 
  5. The Republicans Organize: An “opposition” party forms
  6. The Republicans Persuade: Partisanship in American politics coalesces
  7. Foreign Affairs Delay the Republican Victory: The French Revolution demonstrates the need for stability
  8. The Revolution of 1800 and Party Government: The Election of 1800 solidifies the two party system

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