Jefferson’s Presidency

1801-1809

Election of 1800

Jefferson (D-R) vs. Adams (F)Hamilton supported Jefferson because he

promised not to fire all the Federalists nor dismantle financial system

Jefferson became PresidentWhat’s the big deal? Showed that power can

be transferred from one political party to another peacefully

Revolution of 1800

Jefferson promised a less formal style of presidency

Appeared to be a common man

integrate Republican ideas into the Federalists programs

Convention of 1800

US meets with France to end their alliance and settle hostilities that had started after the XYZ Affair

Jefferson in Office

While in office Jefferson reduced the size of the government by…– Paid debts

Cut gov’t spending

– No more whiskey excise tax– Cut size of army and navy

Relied on militia Not a smart move

– Kept Hamilton’s economic plan– No more Alien and Sedition Acts

Pleased most Americans

Midnight Judges

Appointments made by Adams on his last night in office before Jefferson came in…the intention was to make sure that Federalists ideals carried on

appointed Federalists who would clash with Jefferson’s Dem-Rep ideas

THE SUPREME COURT _ Episode 1 Excerpt _ PBS.mp4

John Marshall (Federalist)

One of the “Midnight Judges” and the complete opposite of Jefferson

Four Principles:– Federal supremacy: expanded the power of

the federal government– Judicial Review set up by the case of Marbury

vs. Madison so that the Supreme Court can rule laws unconstitutional

– Loose interpretation– Limit power of states

Westward Expansion

Strongest government = people owning land

Idea led Jefferson to support expansion so America could have more farm land

Contradicts his strict interpretation…Constitution says nothing about buying land

The Louisiana Purchase, 1803

Napoleon Bonaparte of France offered to sell all of the Louisiana Territory including New Orleans…something Jefferson can’t turn down

– America paid 15 million – doubles America’s size

gained control of the Mississippi River to Rocky Mtns.– Send Lewis and Clark to explore and learn more about region

Significance: Contradicts his strict interpretation…Constitution says nothing about buying land and intensifies the debate over expansion of slavery

Louisiana Purchase.mp4

International Tensions

Britain puts an embargo up against French

We “reexport” French goods and make it appear to be American goods

– Helped French economy– Made America a

competitor of Britain Napoleon Bonaparte

Impressment

legalized form of kidnapping that forced sailors into British navy… major cause of War of 1812

Jefferson had cut size of navy so US can’t do anything about it

Embargo Act of 1807

stopped all trade with Europe

Hurt American economy more than it hurt Britain

Jefferson repealed act before he left office“Death by the Terrapin, or the Embargo”