“ The second office of this government is honorable and easy.”

Thomas Jefferson, 1797

A divided government, a falling out with a fellow Founder, foreign intrigue, and the creation of an influential manual of parliamentary procedure were hallmarks of Jefferson's term as Vice President from 1797-1801.

The Election of 1796

The 1796 Presidential election was the first to field candidates from opposing parties with Federalists John Adams and Charles Pickney running against Democratic-Republicans Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Prior to the 12th Amendment, Electors cast two votes for President and the winner became President while the runner-up became Vice President. In 1796, a split ticket resulted in Adams becoming President and Jefferson becoming Vice President.

Jefferson in Philadelphia, capital of the U.S.: A recorded livestream with first person interpreter Bill Barker

The X, Y, Z Affair

Following revelations of a bribery scheme contrived by the French Foreign Minister, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, relations with France reached a low point during the Adams Administration with far-reaching consequences for both Vice President Jefferson and President John Adams.

Full-length portrait of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord by by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon. — Minister Talleyrand

XYZ Affair

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, initially drafted by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, respectively, were issued by the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures in response to the federal Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.