Why did John Adams win the 1796 presidential election?

The United States presidential election of 1796 was the first contested American presidential election and the only one to elect a President and Vice President from opposing tickets. read more

The presidential election was much closer than what would be expected at a time the Federalist Party was dominant; in 1796, the Federalist Party won the House of Representatives, 57–49, as well as controlled the Senate, 20–10. read more

The United States presidential election of 1796 was the third quadrennial presidential election. It was held from Friday, November 4 to Wednesday, December 7, 1796. It was the first contested American presidential election, the first presidential election in which political parties played a dominant role, and the only presidential election in which a president and vice president were elected from opposing tickets. read more