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From Bullets to Ballots

By John Zvesper

Posted August 26, 2005

"New democracies have to find their way towards attitudes, practices and institutional arrangements that complement free elections with a culture and a constitution of freedom." —Prologue, p. xvi

The American founding did not end with the ratification of the Constitution. The experience of political party making in the 1790s set into motion the regime created by the constitution making of the 1770s and 1780s. Americans can learn important things about their politics today by reflecting on the experience of the 1790s. If American political experience has lessons for other democracies, some of the most important of those lessons can be found here.

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From Bullets to Ballots

The Election of 1800 and the First Peaceful Transfer of Political Power

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Cover

Preface by Ken Masugi

Introduction by John S. Waggoner

Chronology of Events

Prologue

1. First Principles

2. The Lessons of Constitution Making

3. Anxious Confidence

4. Doubts and Disunity

5. The Republicans Organize

6. The Republicans Persuade

7. Foreign Affairs Delay the Republican Victory

8. Suppression, Protest and the Revolution of 1800

9. Conclusion: The Revolution of 1800 and Party Government

Appendix I: The Debt Assumption Issue

Appendix II: Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

Glossary

Bibliography

Historical Documents

About the Authors

John Zvesper, an American political scientist who resides in Europe, is a fellow of the Claremont Institute, and author of several books, including From Bullets to Ballots: The Election of 1800 and the First Peaceful Transfer of Political Power and Nature and Liberty.

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