The first United States election took place in 1788 -1789 after the constitution was ratified. Originally each elector cast two votes. Whoever received votes from the most electors, became president, and the runner-up became vice-president. Basically, Washington ran unopposed. All 69 electors cast one vote for Washington. John Adams received 34, the second most votes, becoming vice-president.
Only ten states casted votes in this election. There were two political parties Federalist and Anti-Federalist(who were against a strong federal government).
Vice Presidential Candidates
Federalist candidates
- John Adams, former Minister to Great Britain from Massachusetts
- John Jay, U.S. Secretary of Foreign Affairs from New York
- John Rutledge, former Governor of South Carolina
- John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts
- Samuel Huntington, Governor of Connecticut
- Benjamin Lincoln, former U.S. Secretary of War from Massachusetts
Anti-Federalist candidates
- George Clinton, Governor of New York
- Edward Telfair, former Governor of Georgia
No comments:
Post a Comment