The American Revolution of 1800: How Jefferson Rescued Democracy from Tyranny and Faction#and What This Means Today

by Dan Sisson, Thom Hartmann (Editor)

In this brilliant historical classic, Dan Sisson argues that Thomas Jefferson thought democratic revolutions would be necessary from time to time to break the grip of autocratic factions on the government. That is how Jefferson saw the election of 1800—and the lessons for today couldn’t be more obvious.

Most historians celebrate Jefferson’s victory over Adams in 1800 as the beginning of the two-party system, but Jefferson would have been horrified by this interpretation. Drawing on the understanding of faction, revolution, and conspiracy reflected in the writings of the Founders, Sisson makes it clear that they, like Jefferson, envisioned essentially a nonparty state.

Jefferson believed his election was a peaceful revolution by the American people overturning an elitist faction that was stamping out cherished constitutional rights and trying to transform our young democracy into an authoritarian state. It was a transfer of power back to the people, not a change of parties. Sisson maintains Jefferson would regard our current two-party system as a repudiation of his theory of revolution and his earnest desire that the people as a whole, not any faction or clique, would triumph in government. The ideals of the American Revolution were in danger until this “Revolution of 1800,” to which we owe the preservation of many of our key rights.

With contributions by Thom Hartmann that bring out the book’s contemporary relevance, this fortieth-anniversary edition contains new insights and reflections on how Jefferson’s vision can help us in our own era of polarization, corruption, government overreach, and gridlock.

Genres: History, American History, Nonfiction

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Larry Bassett · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 2025 there has just been a nationwide demonstration focused on “no kings“ based on the feeling of many people that Mr. Trump is trying to set himself up as a dictator or monarch. This book talks about the reality in the years after the American Revolution of 1776 when many people in the country still felt that a monarchy would be a Better form of government than a republic.

The book gives a good deal of information regarding Hamilton and his position in favor of a monarchy, which was opposed by Mr. Jefferson and came to focus in the 1800 election. This historical information is something that most people in the United States are probably not significantly aware of. It is always good to learn that what seems like a new movement in the country is really just a repetition of history, even in the short history of the US.

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I live history. But the author's style made what is really a fascinating story really bland.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading about the many bad character traits and actions of Jefferson in McCullough’s John Adams, Toll’s Six Frigates and Chernow’s Hamilton, I felt I needed to get some additional perspective to get a fair read of the man. Ellis’ Sphinx did not quite get me there, but finally, this book cleared up the mist from Foggy Bottom. During the Adams administration there was a plot afoot by the Federalists to always control the U.S. executive and it took a movement of the republican democrats, led by Jefferson and Madison, to dislodge them. They went about it in a peaceful manner which followed the institutions of the national republic that they had helped establish and their adherence to the Constitution at all hazards was the thing that cauterized our national understanding of the inviolability of that wonderful document. We are a nation of laws, not of men.

[Bradley Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fortieth anniversary edition of The American Revolution of 1800 draws clear parallels between the current problems with the federal government and the issues that nearly brought down our country in its infancy during the election of 1800. Citizens back then were far more engaged in the political process than they are today, in knowledge, understanding, and participation; and through well documented, extensive debate of the core issues, and a little luck, they were able to avoid the dissolution of the government and possibly a bloody revolution like that which consumed France only a few years earlier.

The nation's founding fathers were just as engaged in this second revolution as in the first, as it was a critical test of the political and philosophical underpinnings of the novel system they had created. It is a test we are facing again, now that the functional descendants of that revolution's losers have gained dominance and are close to realizing the worst fears of its victors. That threat is clearly the point of releasing the new edition of the book, with presently relevant material from coauthor Thom Hartmann.

I found the book to be a difficult read in several places, mainly due to its heavy reliance on the original words of the people who lived through its events. Overall, I found it to be enlightening on several levels resulting from its exposition of context and rationale for the decisions made about the formation of our form of government, as well as the competing visions of what it should become. The book definitely makes a good case that we are primed for another revolution in the near future, which the authors clearly hope will be resolved in a similar way. I share their hope.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good topic but extremely difficult reading.

[Sarah W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very academic history, in which the author spends a great deal of time defining what "revolution" and "faction" meant to the typical 18th-century person. Once the reader is thoroughly convinced of the violent nature of 18th-century revolution and political faction, the author presents his thesis that the so-called "Revolution of 1800" was indeed a revolution because it involved the peaceful transfer of power between opposing factions (or political parties, as we might call them today). While a compelling argument, it was also a predictable one. This work may be of interest to those who thoroughly enjoy early American history, as long as they are not dissuaded by the long-winded chapters and academic discussion of word meanings.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads first reads program. I'm not sure if I agree with all the conclusions drawn in this book. but it was a very interesting and fairly quickly read. I enjoyed it.