John Adams (1797-1801)
John Adams, the nation’s first vice president and second president, failed to win a second term in the 1800 election. …
John Adams (1797-1801) John Adams, the nation’s first vice president and second president, failed to win a second term in the 1800 election. Adams, a Federalist, was defeated by Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican. The election marked the first peaceful transfer of power between members of two political parties. Though Adams wanted to remain president, he accepted the results of the election and stepped down, establishing an important precedent for the US. He did not attend Jefferson’s inauguration. Adams faced a foreign policy crisis with France during his presidency, known as the Qausi-War, and signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts. The acts, which gave the government broad authority to deport foreign-born residents and punish critics, are often cited as a major factor in Adam’s loss in the election. John Quincy Adams (1825-1829) John Quincy Adams, the son of President John Adams, did not win reelection in 1828. He was defeated by Andrew Jackson. Adams became president in 1824 despite Jackson receiving more electoral votes. No candidate had won a majority of the electoral votes, so the House of Representatives was left to decide. The House ultimately elected Adams. Adams faced fierce opposition from Jacksonians (supporters of Jackson) in Congress while president, and had few major accomplishments during his tenure. He lost badly to Jackson in 1828. His career in politics was far from over, however, and Adams would later serve as a congressman from 1831 to 1848. Martin Van Buren (1837-1841) Martin Van Buren lost the 1840 election to William Henry Harrison. Van Buren’s tenure was plagued from the start by a financial crisis, and his unpopularity was compounded by an expensive war with the Seminole Indians in Florida. He lost by a landslide in 1840, with Harrison winning 234 electoral votes and Van Buren just 60. Grover Cleveland (1885-1889) Grover Cleveland lost the election of 1888 to Benjamin Harrison.
