The election campaign of 1800 was very different from the political campaigns we see today.
Neither Adams nor Jefferson traveled around the country to gather support. Many thought direct campaigning improper for a person who would be president.
Instead, hundreds of letters were sent to leading citizens and newspapers to make candidates' views public.
The campaign was bitterly fought. Each side made personal attacks against the other.
For example, Federalists accused Jefferson, who believed in freedom of religion, of being "godless." Republicans warned that the Federalists favored the wealthy and would bring back monarchy.
