Week 8: Thomas Jefferson SOL 6a & b

The First Political Party System • The Federalists, led by John Adams and Alexander Hamilton, typically believed in a strong national government, creation of the national bank and commercial economy. They were supported by bankers and business interests in the Northeast. They believed in a loose interpretation of the Constitution. • The Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, believed in a weak national government and an agricultural economy. They did not support the national bank because they believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution. They were supported by farmers, artisans, and frontier settlers in the South.

Election of 1800 The presidential election of 1800, won by Thomas Jefferson, was the first American presidential election in which power was peacefully transferred from one political party to another.

Early stages of territorial expansion Conflicts between American settlers and Indian nations in the Southeast and the old Northwest resulted in the relocation of many American Indians to reservations. Economic and strategic interests of the populace led to territorial expansion, which resulted in dominance over indigenous cultures Thomas Jefferson, as president in 1803, purchased from France the huge Louisiana Territory, which doubled the size of the United States. As a result, the United States gained control of the Mississippi River and New Orleans to facilitate western trade.

Exploration Jefferson authorized the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the new territories that lay west of the Mississippi River. Sacajawea, an American Indian woman, served as their guide and translator. The belief that it was America’s Manifest Destiny to stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific provided political support for territorial expansion.

Foreign Policy Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality including the Jay Treaty; and the undeclared war on France during the John Adams administration with the XYZ Affair contributed to the concept of isolationism as the basis of American Foreign Policy. Jefferson continued to maintain neutrality in foreign affairs during his administration.

Neutrality During the Napoleonic Wars, Washington and Adams adhered strongly to the Neutrality Proclamation, refusing to choose a side (British or French) in the conflict. The British believed the United States should ally with them because of the history of being a former colony. The French believed the United States should ally with them because of the 1778 Alliance with France during the American Revolution, leading to America winning the war and independence. The British impressed American sailors into their navy. The French attacked and pirated American ships for supplies.

Embargo Act Despite being a leader of the Democratic-Republican party, Jefferson enacted the Embargo Act in 1807 to maintain American neutrality in the Napoleonic Wars, which was unpopular among New England merchants.