Put the events in their correct chronological order.

  • At the Constitutional Convention meeting in 1787, delegates for the 13 states express concern that having a single body meet in the US capital to elect a President would allow undue influence by political parties, larger states, special interests groups or even foreign governments. They believe that by meeting in their own states to select the candidates they will make it harder for electors to find ways to collude or buy and sell votes. The framers of the constitution are concerned that a popular vote will either lead to the ‘tyranny of majority’ electing a future tyrant or electing a political faction that alienate the other minorities. They therefore decide to set up an Electoral College of ‘reasoned men’ to ensure that ‘the right type of candidate’ become president. Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution – establishes an electoral system in which each the state appointed the same amount of electors as they had senators plus representatives from that state combined. Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution – this does mention the role of political parties. The state electors meet separately to other states and cast two votes but does not differentiate between president and vice president. The candidate with over 50 per cent of the vote becomes president and the runner up vice president. Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution – states if there is no overall winner, with over 50 per cent of the vote, the House of Representatives choose the President, and the Senate pick the vice president. 1796 presidential election, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, were the two main candidates but both opposed each other's ideals. John Adams, (Federalist), gained 71 electoral votes – more than half of the total vote – and Thomas Jefferson, a (Republican or Democratic-Republican), received 68 electoral votes. Adams becomes President and Jefferson Vice President – it’s like Donald Trump becoming President and Hilary Clinton Vice President. 1800 presidential election – to avoid the problems of 1796 the political parties nominate a presidential candidate and a vice presidential candidate from the same party. Democratic-Republican ticket of Thomas Jefferson (for President) and Aaron Burr, Vice President (Democratic-Republican) win with 73 electoral votes each. Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution – draws no distinction between Jefferson and Burr and both have the same vote. Neither Jefferson nor Burr had a majority over each other so the choice of president is decided by the House of Representatives. It takes 36 ballots and a lot of ‘horse-trading’ between candidates and Electoral College representatives before Jefferson is elected president and Burr vice president. Two chaotic elections result in an amendment (12th) to the constitution in June 1804 by allowing Electoral College representatives to cast a separate vote for president and vice president.