Election of 1800 & the Peaceful Transfer of Power

These resources go with this History for Humans Youtube episode.

The episode teaches students the importance of the peaceful transfer of power and how essential it is to a republic by highlighting the nearly fatal election of 1800 between Adams and Jefferson. It is story-based history but unpacks and teaches the context behind the story- the partisan divide, beliefs and fears of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, and the mudslinging press that nearly drove the nation apart. When it resulted in a tie it nearly led to civil war and disunion but ultimately, the election served to represent the endurance of the republic with Adams peacefully stepping down and Jefferson reaching out to unite the country.

There is an interactive notesheet to follow along with the youtube video, a quick auto-graded Google Form quiz (word doc available too!) to ensure understanding, and an extension lesson that looks at 4 short but powerful documents about the peaceful transfer of power during contentious elections including the 2020 election. Students compare and contrast and are left to come to their own conclusions about what changed with Trump's actions of refusing to concede and encouraging his base to fight against the results. There are answer keys for everything.

ACTIVITY ALTERNATIVE:
Students complete a storyboard detailing the amazing story that led to the first peaceful transfer of power in US history.

I do hope you and your students enjoy it! : )