Mint Lite | Failed coups While events in Washington may have been shocking and embarrassing to many, the history of political transition of power have seldom been peaceful 4 min read Share Via Read Full Story While events in Washington may have been shocking and embarrassing to many, the history of political transition of power have seldom been peaceful. As a matter of fact, in America it was not till 1801 that the first peaceful transition of power took place. That year, the country’s second president, John Adams quietly walked out of Washington, D.C. in the cover of night. Following his humiliating defeat to close friend, and political rival, Thomas Jefferson, Adams decided to not even attend the inauguration ceremony. But stories of violent transitions have continued around the globe.