Thomas Jefferson The Country’s Third President

Political Beliefs Democratic-Republican Party Strongly favored States Rights as opposed to a strong national government Believed in a strict construction, or strict interpretation, of the U.S. Constitution

Issues with the Courts Marbury vs. Madison: Does William Marbury, one of John Adams’ last minute “midnight judges,” receive his commission to be judge or not? Jefferson had James Madison refuse to give the commission to Marbury Issue went before the Supreme Court Ruling became a precedent—an example for future court cases

Issues with the Courts With Marbury vs. Madison, the Supreme Court established the concept of “Judicial Review” Judicial Review means that the Court may decide if a law is constitutional or not.

The Louisiana Purchase By 1800, the western boundary of the U.S. was the Mississippi River. The Louisiana Territory, that is all lands west of the Mississippi River which drained into the river, was controlled by France.

The Louisiana Purchase Napoleon Bonaparte of France needs money for another war with Great Britain. He decides to sell ALL of the Louisiana Territory. His price: $15 million.

7. The Louisiana Purchase

Lewis and Clark Jefferson decides to send a military expedition called the Corps of Discovery, to explore the Louisiana Territory. Meriwether Lewis