Chapter 1
The messy birth of the vice presidency
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Chapter 2
Bizarre lives and scandalous secrets
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Chapter 3
Heartbeats away from the presidency
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Chapter 4
The evolution of the modern veep
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YOUR GOAL
Master of Secrets of the second in command
Ch 1 · The messy birth of the vice presidency
schopenhauer The Early Vice Presidency
The runner-up was made the VP back in the day, So bitter rivals had to share the power play.
schopenhauer The Twelfth Amendment changed how Americans vote to ensure presidents and vice presidents run together.
Fun Fact
Adams's title: John Adams wanted the vice president to be addressed as 'His Superfluous Excellency.'
schopenhauer A massive tie in the electoral college nearly tore the young nation apart.
Glossary
vice president (noun)
An officer next in rank to a president, typically serving as president if the office becomes vacant. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, delegates hastily created the office primarily to resolve electoral tie-breakers.
An officer next in rank to a president, typically serving as president if the office becomes vacant. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, delegates hastily created the office primarily to resolve electoral tie-breakers.
Quiz
Why did the framers of the Constitution originally design the runner-up to be vice president?
schopenhauer Swipe through historical trivia to discover how close these backup leaders came to the presidency.
Quiz
Before the Twelfth Amendment, what happened if there was a tie in the Electoral College for president?
Quiz
Which US Constitution amendment changed the system so electors voted separately for president and vice president?
Quiz
How many tie-breaking votes did John Adams cast in the Senate, establishing an early record?
Quiz
Who was the very first vice president of the United States, serving under George Washington?
Quiz
Which part of the US Constitution establishes the role of the vice president as the President of the Senate?
Quiz
In the chaotic election of 1800, which two candidates tied in the Electoral College?
Quiz
Who was the second vice president of the United States, serving under John Adams?