Answer :
The electoral system broke down in the election of 1800 because of the 12th Amendment. The 12th Amendment was passed in 1804 in response to the issues that arose during the election of 1800. Prior to the 12th Amendment, electors cast two votes for President without distinguishing between the presidential and vice-presidential candidates. This led to a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, resulting in a deadlock in the electoral college.
As a result, the election was thrown into the House of Representatives for a contingent election. This highlighted the flaws in the original electoral system, prompting the need for the 12th Amendment, which separated the electoral votes for President and Vice President. By requiring electors to cast separate votes for each office, the 12th Amendment aimed to prevent such a situation from reoccurring, thus addressing the breakdown of the electoral system experienced in the election of 1800.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
b. 12th Amendment.
Answer:
b. 12th Amendment.
Explanation:
The election of 1800 marked a significant moment in American history because it revealed flaws in the electoral system established by the Constitution. Prior to the 12th Amendment, the electoral process allowed for each elector to cast two votes without differentiating between their choice for president and vice president. This system led to a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, both of whom were members of the Democratic-Republican Party. The tie was eventually resolved through a vote in the House of Representatives, but the chaos of the election prompted the passage of the 12th Amendment in 1804, which separated the electoral votes for president and vice president, thereby preventing a recurrence of such a situation.
