The oddities of the first American election - Kenneth C. Davis

How did George Washington become the first president of the United States in 1789? Who got to decide--or vote--who would become president, and how did they decide the winner? Kenneth C. Davis unveils the surprising story behind America's first presidential election.

Lesson by Kenneth C. Davis, animation by Buzzco Associates, inc.

[Sam_on_YouTube]

Franklin once said "We always chose Washington as our leader because any time we all got together, we has always the tallest one in the room." (That's a slight paraphrase).

[duhboss]

I don't think John Adams was that upset about not being the first president. I think he supported Washington.

[HeadCannon]

People saying “we’re a republic, not a democracy” don’t know the meanings of republic or democracy. Yes, direct democracy is democracy, but representative democracy is, too. Not only are the two terms not mutually exclusive, but being a republic pretty much implies that you’re a democracy as well

[vibortravas]

Vermont was independent in 1789, not part of New York State.

[mmitchell]

"...democracy was one step away from mob rule, and a decision this important should left to wiser men."

[canadagoose]

I like how in the scene with the all the election years, the portraits of the presidents were based on the length of their presidency: William Henry Harrison's portrait is tiny compared to Franklin D. Roosevelt's portrait

[easyenetwork]

Imagine the oddity of being the first ever President and having to navigate that office with a lack of knowledge or real understanding of what a President needed to do. That is an enormous position and was just treated as a selection rather than an awe inspiring election, if you will, like what we see today.

[irisryu]

it's like when 12 people eat a pizza, every one get a piece. But When 100 people eat a pizza, each person have to stand in line a long time, and what they get is almost nothing.

[Bluesonofman]

American Republicanism not Democracy. Democracy is a form of government that is ran by a omnipotent majority. Republic's are governments where the people (not the majority nor the minority but both collectively) choose the representatives who's power is controlled by law.

[the_jawker]

Please turn up the gain and eq the mic. As always good vids tho!

[Nukepositive]

Interesting how the electors used an "approval voting" system; GW was voted unanimously, but John Adams also received some votes.

[danielknorr]

It wasn't that they thought that having everyone voting was a mob rule, it was more the fact that many people were uneducated and owned little land, so only the richer white men could really get an education, and the older in age factor comes in with just having more time to collect more land, and this was a factor because if you had more land you had more property to risk, "more skin in the game" so you just mattered more.

[gamezoid]

it's funny that i'm doing this same subject in school right now. :) love to learn 'bout this stuff

[JoshuaCasper]

oh snap! my first "first" comment! Love TEDed!!! Keep them coming!

[Dejoblue]

it is not a right it is a privilege that can be taken away if you are convicted of a felony. If you are convicted of a felony you then lose your "right" to vote. Thus one of the most important measures we could and should have is lost, the ability to change laws. As example, convicted drug users cannot vote, cannot participate in voting to change drug laws. Sure they can organize and petition or even get laws on ballots, but their"right" their official voice no longer counts.

[AnonymousButNott]

3:04 Why does George Washington look like the single guy at party meme?

[andreadgz]

you are watching a video with the words "American election" in the title, genius.

[kgb]

Boy did this video age like fine wine and cheese

[mmitchell]

It's perfectly in context: electors don't have to vote with the popular vote. The whole point of sending electors to vote was based upon how fast information could be sent. Since we are able to carry information "on beams of light and fiber optic cables rather than on the backs of heard animals", having the current electoral college is outdated and pointless. The system doesn't even promote small states over large. Swing states are a sad fact of this inadequacy.

-CGP Grey quote

[davidevans]

Democracy: two wolves and a lamb deciding what's for lunch.