Jefferson Alters the Nation’s Course

Election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr (both D-Rs) tied in electoral votes. The vote went to the House of Representatives. After many re-votes, Jefferson was able to claim victory. Hamilton had lobbied for Jefferson because he considered him the more ‘honorable’ man over Aaron Burr. In 1804, the 12th amendment was passed which stated that voting for president and vice-president would be separate. Aaron Burr would kill Alexander Hamilton in a duel that same year

Election Results

Thomas Jefferson Takes Office Believed in small government – cut government spending and began to pay off national debt Eliminated whiskey tax Reduced size of army and navy Congress repealed Alien and Sedition Acts

SIMPLIFYING THE GOVERNMENT Jefferson’s theory of government, known as Jeffersonian Republicanism, held that simple, limited government was the best for the people Jefferson decentralized the government, cut costs, reduce bureaucracy, and eliminate taxes. Jefferson was the first president to take office in the new federal capital, Washington D.C. Jefferson Memorial

JOHN MARSHALL AND THE POWER OF THE SUPREME COURT Before leaving office, John Adams (2nd President), attempts to “pack” the Federal courts with Federalists Judges Judiciary Act of 1801 increased the number of federal judges by 16 in an attempt to control future federal judicial decisions. Adams filed filled the positions with federalists; called Midnight Judges because he signed their appointments late on the last day of his administration. Jefferson argued this was unconstitutional Supreme Court Chief Justice Marshall rules in Marbury v. Madison (1803) that part of the Judicial Act was unconstitutional Established principle of Judicial Review – the ability of the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional

Marbury v. Madison 1803 The Most Significant and Controversial Supreme Court Case in History!

Character List – Marbury v. Madison 1803 President John Adams: 1797 - 1801 made “midnight” appointments to newly created government offices in the administration William Marbury: appointed Justice of Peace for District of Columbia last minute of Adams’s presidency

Character List – Marbury v. Madison 1803 Thomas Jefferson: new president in 1800 angry at the fact that federalists tried to keep a hand in the administration ordered James Madison NOT to deliver the remaining commissions of appointments James Madison: Jefferson’s new secretary of state ordered NOT to deliver appointments John Marshall: Secretary of State during Adams’s presidency AND the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the ruling!

Background Information/Facts Box #1 Election of 1800 = T. Jefferson Adams = last minute appts. before switch Madison does not deliver Marbury’s appt. Marbury takes the issue to the Supreme Court demanding the commission based on the Judiciary Act of 1789 * the establishment of the judicial branch to exist and appear in the Constitution outlining the basic components (judges and jurisdiction) * IT DID NOT give the judicial branch the POWER TO INTERPRET LAW IN COURT CASES (judicial review)!!

Amendment/Issue Being Challenged Does Supreme Court have the power to interpret the Constitution? Does the judicial branch NEED this power to make decisions over controversies?

Ruling Constitution DOES NOT state that judicial branch has power to interpret the Constitution. Madison violated Marbury’s right to appointment, BUT Marbury DID NOT receive appointment

gives Supreme Court power to interpret the Const. (Const. or Unconst.) Significance ** JUDICIAL REVIEW!!! gives Supreme Court power to interpret the Const. (Const. or Unconst.)