From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 - Chronology
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From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 - Chronology

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Chronology

1776Declaration of Independence; war with Britain until 1782
1777 –Articles of Confederation (first United States Constitution) written by Continental Congress; ratified by each state (the last one in 1781)
1778Wartime treaty of alliance with France
1783Formal peace treaty with Britain
1787New constitution written by convention in Philadelphia
1787-1788Constitution ratified, after debates in each state between proponents (Federalists) and opponents (Antifederalists). Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay write The Federalist Papers as a contribution to the campaign for ratification.
1788First congressional and presidential elections
1789First Congress and President George Washington’s first administration begin, with Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury and Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State.
-Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10) adopted
-Congressman James Madison unsuccessfully proposes trade war with Britain.
1790Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton successfully proposes federal takeover (“assumption”) of states’ war debts.
1791Hamilton’s proposal for National Bank approved
1792Republican party initiates first national partisan campaigns, in congressional elections.
1793News of execution of King of France reaches United States.
-War between France and Britain (which continues with little pause until 1815)
1795Jay Treaty between United States and Britain
1796Washington’s Farewell Address; Republican party now contests presidential as well as congressional elections.
1797President John Adams’ administration begins.
1798-1800Naval “quasi-war” with France
1798Congress passes Alien and Sedition Acts; Thomas Jefferson and James Madison secretly draft Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions.
1800-1801Republicans win big majorities in House and Senate elections.
December 1800Republicans narrowly win presidential election, with electoral college tie between Jefferson and his running mate, Aaron Burr.
February 1801After a week of balloting, House of Representatives chooses Jefferson as President.
March 1801Peaceful transfer of power to Republicans; Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address

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