Aaron+Burr

Aaron Burr

Never do today what you can do tomorrow. Something may occur to make you regret your premature action. -Aaron Burr

Background: The life of Aaron Burr up until the 1800 Election Aaron Burr was born on the 6th of February, 1756, in Newark, New Jersey. When the American Revolution broke out, Burr joined the Continental Army. He fought with Benedict Arnold in Quebec and was later made an officer. Burr also fought with George Washington.  In 1782, he began practicing law in New Jersey, and moved to New York in 1783, continuing his law practice there. Burr also served a single term in the 1784-85 session of the New York senate. Burr became Attorney General of New York State in 1789, and from 1791 to 1797, had a seat on the U.S. Senate.

The Election of 1800 Burr ran in the election as a Democrat-Republican. Democrat-Republicans believed in a weak federal government and believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, which meant that the Federal Government should not be given powers that were explicitly stated in the Constitution. However, Burr also dealt with the opposing Federalist Party. Burr was a more active campaigner than Thomas Jefferson, who preferred to write letters and get pamphlets published that attacked the defending president John Adams. Burr, however, campaigned actively. He visited Rhode Island and Connecticut to gain support for the Democrat-Republican party. However, in 1800, the Electoral College picked the President. Jefferson and Burr both received seventy-three votes each. Because of the tie, the House of Representitives picked the President. Jefferson won by one vote, and Burr, the second place candidate, became the vice president of the United States.

Made by: Lucy M. and Nathalie S.