Thomas Jefferson’s Presidency EQ: What were the successes & failures of the Jefferson administration?

Why was Jefferson’s election called the “Revolution of 1800?” Change of political parties for first time Peaceful transfer of power Out with the Federalists Democratic-Republicans take power New ideas, new ways of running the government

Jefferson cut national debt…how? Major cuts to army & navy, as well as government programs and departments

James Monroe and Robert Livingston are sent to France to buy New Orleans from Napoleon Offer $10 Million Napoleon offers all of Louisiana for $15 million Jefferson approves, doubles the size of USA

Louisiana Purchase; from whom? How much? From France for $15 million Nearly doubled size of US, expanded west Why was Jefferson somewhat embarrassed by the purchase? Strict constructionist, Constitution did not authorize fed gov to buy land Louisiana Purchase

1 st Election under the 12 th Amendment President and VP Run as a team Jefferson wins a landslide VP George Clinton

Jefferson sends men to explore the new territory, led by Meriweather Lewis & William Clark Group was called the “Corps of Discovery” Led by Sacajawea Two major goals: Find an all-water route from Missouri River to Pacific Ocean Collect scientific data about plants, animals Lewis & Clark Expedition

Jefferson’s Foreign Policy Issues

Pirates from the Barbary States of North Africa (Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli) were stealing U.S. ships Before, Washington & Adams paid protection money to the states to stop the pirates When price increased, Jefferson sends US navy to blockade port of Tripoli Barbary War

U.S. trading in overseas markets British & French = still fighting Britain banned American voyages b/w French West Indies & France So, US and France come up with a plan… Reexport Trade

Reexport Trade angered Britain War between France & Britain continues; Britain in desperate need of soldiers; what do they do…? Impressment America’s reaction…? Americans are very angry British Impressment

British and French policy of seizing merchant ships and forcing them into the Royal Navy Originates in the 1600s Both American and English merchants Jefferson is angered by British policies

Chesapeake-Leopard Affair (1807) Off the coast of VA, the Leopard requested to search the Chesapeake for British navy deserters Chesapeake refused, Leopard fired The Chesapeake quickly surrendered, and the Leopard searched and detained four British Navy deserters (one British-born, who was hanged) This 1807 attack by the British on the American warship— the Chesapeake— greatly angered Americans

Embargo Act (1807) – Jefferson forbids export of American goods to Europe Crushing to the American economy New England was reliant on British Investment

Though angry at Britain, Jefferson did not want to go to war Congress passes Embargo Act of 1807 No trade with Britain…why? Trying to hurt the British economy Embargo DID NOT work; it bankrupted many American merchants Embargo hurt Jefferson’s reputation; lifted in Embargo

Problem: French/Anglo War Resumes, 1806 Jefferson wants: Trade RightsNeutrality Results: Impressment of US ships Rise of the War Hawks Reexport Trade Chesapeake/ Leopard Incident Embargo Act of 1807 Destruction of the U.S. economy Embargo is repealed; Jefferson’s reputation drops