[[Image:Jefferson-peale.jpg|thumb|left|Thomas Jefferson'scontroversial(portraited) electionwas ledelected toafter callsa toprolonged amendmayhem of 36 votes in the ConstitutionHouse. This showing how the election may lead in unpredicted outcomes, a rapid constitutional amendment was made.]]
The system of elections provided for by Article II did not forseeforesee the rise of [[political party|political parties]]. In [[U.S. presidential election, 1789|1789]] and in [[U.S. presidential election, 1792|1792]], the electors unanimously voted for [[George Washington]]. The makeup of Washington's [[Cabinet]] was a factor contributing to the creation of political parties. Washington's [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|Secretary of the Treasury]], [[Alexander Hamilton]], often clashed with the [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]], [[Thomas Jefferson]]. Hamilton favored a powerful national government, while Jefferson favored keeping most of the authority in the hands of the states. Supporters of Hamilton's philosophy came to form the [[United States Federalist Party|Federalist Party]], while those favoring Jefferson's ideas became the [[Democratic-Republican Party]] (the predecessor of the modern [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic Party]]).
Thomas Jefferson contested the [[U.S. presidential election, 1796|election of 1796]] with [[John Adams]], George Washington's Vice President. The Democratic-Republicans nominated [[Aaron Burr]] as Jefferson's running mate, or Vice Presidential candidate, while [[Thomas Pinckney]] fulfilled a like role in relation to the Federalist John Adams. At the time, however, regions sometimes defined politicians more than political parties. Thus, while John Adams received 71 votes and became President, his running mate failed to be elected. Instead, Jefferson, Adams' political opponent, became Vice President with 68 votes.