1. Describe the “Midnight Judges” event and what impact it had on legislation and the balance of power in government
2. What role did Alexander Hamilton play in the election of Thomas Jefferson as President and what is the significance
Answers
1. 'Midnight Judges' was the term coined by the Democrat-Republicans for the 58 judges appointed to the Federal Circuit courts and the newly-created D.C. courts by President Adams on the eve of his last day in office. President Jefferson's refusal led to the prominent U.S. Supreme Court Case of Marbury v.
The Act became law on February 13, 1801 and reduced the number of seats on the Supreme Court from 6 to 5, effective upon the next vacancy in the Court. No such vacancy occurred during the brief period the Act was in effect, so the size of the Court remained unchanged.
2. Hamilton favored Jefferson over Burr, and he convinced several Federalists to switch their support to Jefferson, giving Jefferson a victory on the 36th ballot. Jefferson became the second incumbent vice president to be elected president.
After numerous blocked ballots, Hamilton helped to secure the presidency for Jefferson, the man he felt was the lesser of two evils. Ten state delegations voted for Jefferson, 4 supported Burr, and 2 made no choice.