Why did political tensions increase after the election of 1796?
(1 point)
• Jefferson lost support from farmers and abandoned his ideals.
• The elected president and vice president were from opposing parties.
• Adams was outraged that he did not get to choose his vice president.
• Hamilton sided with Jefferson over foreign policy issues.
• The elected president and vice president were from opposing parties.
In the election of 1796, John Adams, a Federalist, won the presidency while Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican, came in second, making him the vice president. At this time, the president and vice president were elected separately and the runner-up in the presidential race would become vice president, regardless of party affiliation. This system led to Adams and Jefferson, who had significantly different political views and belonged to opposing political parties, serving together in the executive branch. This mismatch created political tensions and highlighted the need for change in how the United States elected its executive officers. This issue was eventually addressed with the passage of the 12th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1804.