Customer Reviews

The American Revolution of 1800

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Dan Sisson's book opened my eyes to the original meaning of the concept of revolution and the contribution of Thomas Jefferson and his allies in their successful revolution of 1800 to return the US Government to its intended course. The scholarship is impeccible. The book is a gem.

Daniel Sission's "American Revolution of 1800" is a brilliant study of the 1790-1800 battle for the soul of the American Republic. Sission shows the brutal philosophical battle between the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists. Sission shatters the lie that Jefferson's election in 1800 resulted in no change. Sisson points out the distinct and deep differences between the centralizing, and consolidating beliefs of the Federalist Party with the libertarian, republican worldview of the Jeffersonians. Jefferson and Madison are shown in their full glory battling against the Jay Treaty, and more importantly the Alien and Sedition Acts. Also exposed is the tyrannical and aristocratical views of John Adams and Alexander Hamilton who attempted to bring the Alien and Sedition crises to violence.

Sisson's study also shows the bankruptcy of other modern "professional" historians. Most historians have difficulty seeing Jefferson's election as a "revolution". They will classify it as a change in parties, without recognizing that modern political parties were abhorred in that era. It is symptomatic of modern American historians to fail to realize the revolutionary spirit of not only 1776, but of Jefferson's "Revolution of 1800". Instead Jefferson is seen through the eyes of the bitter and arrogant Henry Adams as adopting the views of his opponents. Sisson shatters these myths.

The chapter on Jefferson's contoversial election is outstanding. All the machinations, horse trading, politcal intrigue, and partisan views are expounded on. Any serious history student or Jeffersonian will love this book!

I purchased the book as a source for my thesis, but I ended up using cites from other material since my thesis covered a time period 1806 to about 1850. I'll read the book in my spare time. The book is old, but in good condition.