America Afire: Jefferson, Adams, and the First Contested Election

by Bernard A. Weisberger

America Afire is the powerful story of the election of 1800, arguably the most important election in America's history and certainly one of the most hotly disputed. Former allies Adams and Jefferson, president versus vice president, Federalist versus Republican, squared off in a vicious contest that resulted in broken friendships, scandals, riots, slander, and jailings in the fourth presidential election under the Constitution.

Genres: History, American History, Politics, Nonfiction, Biography

447 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Bernard Allen Weisberger is an American historian. Weisberger taught American history at several universities including the University of Chicago and University of Rochester, where he was chair of the department. He has written more than a dozen books and worked on documentaries with Bill Moyers and Ken Burns. His Charles Ramsdell Prize winning article "The Dark and Bloody Ground of Reconstruction Historiography," is considered a standard in the study of the Reconstruction period.

He is a contributing editor of American Heritage, for which he wrote a regular column for ten years. Weisberger was also a member of the National Hillel Commission and a dedicated participant in the civil rights movement.

Reviews

[Eric_W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American news media really did us all a disservice in the 2000 election with its caterwauling about constitutional crises, and how the world would come to an end because they were not allowed to predict the outcome of the election before the polls closed and – heaven forbid – we might have to wait a few weeks to discover the outcome. A shame they never read any history.

Our past is riddled with contests much more contentious than those of recent vintage. Take 1800, for example. John Adams must have sulked all the way home in his carriage. He had decided not to show up for the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson as the new president in 1800. Jefferson had been his vice-president and close Revolutionary War friend, but the two had become enemies after trading acrimonious charges during a campaign that made today’s mud slinging tame by comparison. In the previous election of 1796, Jefferson had come in second to Adams and was therefore de facto his second–in-command. The Twelfth Amendment made the change to the present system as a result of the 1800 election. We owe Adams a substantial debt of gratitude. His peaceful relinquishment of the reigns [pun intended] of government to his political enemy Jefferson was the first such example in modern history. The catastrophe of the French Revolution was fresh in everyone’s mind, and the American Revolution was barely finished. Voter turnout in 1800 was miserable. One scholar has estimated that only 14% of eligible voters in Connecticut bothered to vote, a number that makes current participation look positively marvelous. The battle for the electoral votes was bitter, with state legislatures fighting. In Pennsylvania, for example, a Federalist Senate, elected for four years, had a bare majority, and they refused to recognize the clear sentiment for the Republicans in the state and they refused to approve the Republican slate of electors. Similarly, South Carolina politicians appealed for the allegiance of electors who were not obligated to vote for anyone. It was even possible that Charles Pinckney might corner enough votes — they despised Aaron Burr — to become president. After the dust had settled, there was a tie between Jefferson and Burr for electoral votes. The enmity between Jefferson and Adams had begun much earlier. The toppling of structures and institutions during the French Revolution disturbed Adams, a traditionalist, and he injudiciously published a series of letters in 1791 that made him appear to be supporting the monarchy and distinctions of rank. Jefferson republished Thomas Paine’s (the radical democrat and agnostic) Rights of Man writing an approving introduction. This looked like a calculated slam against Adams (both Adams and Jefferson were in Washington’s cabinet). “No one could more sincerely disavow partisan purposes than Jefferson, or be more persistent in apparently pursuing them.” Throw in Hamilton and his agitation for a national bank, something that Jefferson and Madison both feared, and the factional lines began to form. It would have all fallen apart sooner except that Washington was persuaded to remain for a second term. Weisberger does a wonderful and fascinating job of setting the stage for these historic events. He describes how the roots of factions were already present in the differing commercial values of the northern, middle and southern states: New England seeking maritime trade; New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey having rich farms and produce to sell; and the South, living on a pile of credit from tobacco and cotton agents in England and terribly afraid of any tampering with slavery or speculation that might ruin their decadent way of life. A “barely united” States that had hardly any infrastructure. Travel was horribly uncomfortable, postal service slow and expensive (the recipient would pay the bill, and letter writers filled both sides of the page and then turned the paper at right angles and wrote across what they had already written to save paper and weight).

By Washington's second term, the country had become bitterly divided between the Federalists, led by Hamilton, who supported Great Britain, and the Jeffersonians who applauded the revolution in France before heads began to roll. When France declared war on Briton and Spain, the young United States found itself squeezed between two enemy powers and diplomacy became a tight-rope walk. It's a wonder how any business could be conducted as it took so long for instructions to travel across the Atlantic. The competing philosophies played themselves out in the election of 1800 with Jefferson continuing an anti-British stance and Adams following Hamilton's lead. Many of the issues of 1800 have yet to be resolved even after the very real threat of literal partisan warfare and suppression of civil rights peaked during the Civil War. Even so, without the peaceful transition of Adams giving up the presidency to Jefferson, the history of the United States might well have been very different.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took 227 pages to get to the election that is supposed to be the subject of the book. That left roughly 70 pages to discuss the election. All the pages leading up to that point covers the history of the US from the year 1787. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading the history again … but it's not what I was hoping for out of this book. While it's a good read, it didn't really fill me with the information I was really wanting - specifically about the 1800 election. To be honest, there wasn't much more in there that I hadn't already known from reading about Adams and Jefferson individually. But I will say that this book did a great job of condensing everything, so if you're looking for a broad overview of everything important from 1787 to 1804-ish, this book would be great for you.

[Todd Van Meter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"America Afire" is about the contested U.S. Presidential election of 1800, its effects upon our country and political system, and the ability of our nation to weather a constitutional crisis and challenges similar to those we have experienced in recent presidential elections. I've always had an interest in Thomas Jefferson, the staid Virginia gentleman (sometimes), as well as Aaron Burr, the dashing war hero and politically expedient scoundrel. You get both in this well written and enjoyable book, as well as Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, John Adams, and many more of our founding fathers.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The historian Bernard Weisberger published America Afire: Jefferson, Adams, and the First Contested Election in 2000. The book was written in the shadow of the election of 2000, a very close and contested election. The book has an index. The book has a bibliographical section. The book has a section of notes. The book's epilogue looks at the legacy and what happened to all the major historical characters of the election of 1800. I think the section of the epilogue on what happened to the main characters of the election of 1800 was the most exciting part of the book, especially his summary of the life of Aaron Burr. The book begins with the Constitutional Convention of 1787. A large portion of the book is about the Founding Fathers. Still, the book also covers other aspects of the history and social environment of the 1800s, such as the newspaper culture of the United States in the 1790s until the election of 1800 and the summary of the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. The book has a chapter on the yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which I found interesting. The chapter is called the “Curse of Factions.” This chapter also covers the city of Philadelphia in 1800. The book is readable. The book also covers the demographics of the early United States. I also found the chapter that covers Weisberger’s book to be a well-done older book about the election of 1800.
Works Cited:
Kirchke, James J. Life as Usual: Storm and Stress: a View of the Fourth Presidential Election in the United States. Review of America Afire: Jefferson, Adams, and the Revolutionary Election of 1800 by Benard Weisberger. Humanities and Social Sciences Net Online. Michigan State University. November 2001. H-Net Reviews
Kirkus Reviews. Review of America Afire: Jefferson, Adams, and the Revolutionary Election of 1800 by Benard Weisberger. Kirkus Review. May 2010. AMERICA AFIRE | Kirkus Reviews

[Brittany Gillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter asked me if the reason I enjoyed this book so much was because of all the info I learned, but I told her no. As an avid reader of Early American history, 90% of the information in the book was not new to me. However, the way it is presented so as to tie together the events and personalities to explain the election of 1800 is fascinating, especially in light of our own most recent election upheaval of 2020 and its appearance in the smash Broadway musical Hamilton.

The writing is good, and the pace is swift - just enough detail to explain the events and people without being overwhelming or dull. I found myself constantly saying “wow, you’ve got to hear this,” to any poor soul sitting within range, and when I turned the last page I was well satisfied with the analysis.

I recommend this book as a good overview of the 1790’s for those interested in the history of early American government and perhaps a good starting point for those who don’t know much. Also, those who really enjoyed Hamilton and want to know more about the true story. 😉

[Leah Unverferth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book would focus more on the election of 1800 but it's really more a general history of 1787-1800 with finishing details about Jefferson's 2 terms and a few significant details of the important figures during that time to round it out. It's solid, helpful history.

It was fun to read this book alongside of "American Sphinx" by Joseph Ellis. Both books covered many of the same details but one might zoom in on Jefferson while the other gives more general details. They complement each other well.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful written, succinct yet thorough account of the years leading up to the election of 1800 and the birth-ground of divisive political parties with a reflective epilogue linking everything back to the unity of American ideals amidst political party genealogy. A fantastic read for beginners and a most welcome read for history buffs looking to reacquaint themselves.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - Just could not get into this one. The title is misleading in that the election referenced in the title is just given a few pages at the end. A more appropriate title would have been “The evolution of the American 2-party System and its Effect on the 1800 Election.”

[Bailey Neill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another reviewer said it perfectly. It takes waaaay too long to actual get to the election of 1800…which is supposedly the topic of the book. Some of the background was insightful …but too much was just “fluff”.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stong addition to the history of late 1700s-early 1800s political landscape.

[Tom Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book thinking that I was merely doing my due diligence and that I probably already knew most of the stuff in it. Was I ever wrong. By treating the Election as his subject, Weisberger is able explore subjects that most biographies of the period miss, especially a number of minor characters, like the Pinckney brothers, who are mentioned in other works but never get their due.

Good reading and highly enlightening.

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone interested in this period of history. I've read a dozen books about the post-Revolution to early Constitution period, and this is one of the best. At first I thought this was a short book, but it hits every topic: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton, Federalist/Republican, Britain/France, Burr, and the rest. I wanted to re-read this again more slowly because it really gives a lot of information about the issues during the Constitutional Convention. Great book!

[William Monaco · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book had a lot of promise, but in the end it turned out to try to cover too much history. I thought it was a book about the election of 1800, but this wasn't really discussed until 2/3 of the way into the book. I did enjoy the politics and backroom deals, especially when Jefferson and Burr tied in electoral votes. But there was too much minutia leading up to the description of the election. Overall an okay book, but I wouldn't recommend it.

[Brad Lucht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of the election of 1800, when President John Adams (Federalist) campaigned against his Vice President, Thomas Jefferson (Republican).

This book chronicles how the two party system in American politics came to be, and how the divisions of today seem tame compared to the bitter fight that took place just 24 years after our country gained its independence. Indeed, the election of 1800 was a fight for the very future of our country.

[Ron Rordam · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there is a great deal of background leading up to the election of 1800, I thought it was necessary for a full understanding of the times. The main take away, the more things change, the more they remain the same. The Hamilton-Jefferson feud really was not different than current political rants.

The only real complaint. It is the "College of William and Mary" NOT William and Mary College.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book on an extraordinary time in America. Brought to life a lot of interesting characters of the Revolution and made sense out of a convoluted time in our history. Easy and fun to read book.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

history

[Drew]

America Afire: Jefferson, Adams, and the Revolutionary Election of 1800 by Bernard A. Weisberger (2000)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting saga of the beginnings of the electoral process. Our founding fathers were not the saints we were taught to revere them as, and some were downright anti-democracy.

[David Eppenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great telling of the history of our first rancorous presidential election, the tie of 1800.