The election of 1800 was highly controversial due to the fact that it was the first time in American history that power had been peacefully transferred from one political party to another. This was a major milestone in the development of the United States as a democracy. Additionally, the election was highly contested due to the fact that Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, both members of the Democratic-Republican Party, tied in the electoral college vote. This forced the House of Representatives to decide the election, and Jefferson eventually won. This was controversial because many Federalists believed that Burr was the better choice for president.
