Jeffersonian Philosophy and Overview of Jefferson’s Presidency Jeffersonian America Jeffersonian Philosophy and Overview of Jefferson’s Presidency

The Death of George Washington George Washington died December 14, 1799, after contracting an illness from a ride at Mt. Vernon during a winter storm He was only 3 years removed from the presidency His death left a hole in the Federalist Party that it could not overcome in 1800 “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” –Edmund Randolph delivering Washington’s Eulogy

The Election of . There is no popular vote at this time Electors chosen by the state legislature meet in Philadelphia to choose president No single candidate won a majority of electoral votes Results in a tie between Jefferson and Burr The Constitution called for election to be decided by the House of Representatives Candidate Electoral vote Thomas Jefferson 73 Aaron Burr John Adams 65 Charles Pinckney 64

A Renaissance Man – The Sage of Monticello Thomas Jefferson was more than just a lawyer and politician He was an avocational architect, a skilled violinist, amateur scientist, avid horseman and a voracious reader Jefferson advised the designers of the city of Washington, D.C. and created his home, Monticello, in Virginia

Jefferson’s Contradictions He was born into wealth and privilege yet he championed the rule by virtue and merit and the life of small farmers Thomas Jefferson was a wealthy planter that owned many slaves yet wrote that “all men are created equal” Although many southern leaders freed their slaves upon their death, Jefferson did not

Jeffersonian Ideals Jefferson was convinced that the future of America rested in the creation of a nation of small independent farmers He believed an agrarian population would better support the ideals of a democratic and republican government Jefferson feared the result of Americans crowding into cities as had happened in Europe

Undoing Federalist Policies Jefferson and the Democratic Republicans believed the federal government should have less power Allowed Alien and Sedition Acts to expire Freed people convicted under the acts Abolished many taxes Including the Whiskey Tax Reduced the size of the military especially the Navy Reduced national debt using money from tariffs and land sales

Jeffersonian America Overview Marbury vs. Madison establishment of Supreme Court’s power of Judicial Review Louisiana Purchase (1803) Doubles the size of the United States and leads to the Louis and Clark Expedition and the idea of Manifest Destiny Foreign Relations Problems with Britain and France continue and will eventually lead to war with England in 1812.