Jefferson Presidency

Following the Adams Administration Thomas Jefferson is elected our third president and begins a very successful presidency that really changed America. Prior to becoming President: Writer of the Declaration of Independence Governor of Virginia Ambassador to France during the Revolution First Secretary of State

Two major events during the beginning of his Presidency: 1st Marbury vs. Madison First Supreme Court Case, established the principle of Judicial Review On Adam's final night as president he made many midnight appointments to different positions in the government, William Marbury to Justice of Peace in DC. James Madison refused to deliver the appointment paperwork, which would have come after midnight. Marbury sued Madison and took it directly to the Supreme Court under Supreme Court Justice John Marshall. Marshall refused the case, saying that the Supreme Court was for extremely important cases. Especially if they affected the Constitution, which is known as Judicial Review.

Two major events during the beginning of his Presidency: 2nd Louisiana Purchase 1803 France presented a deal for the United States to purchase area in the middle of the present United States. It literally doubled the size of the United States over night. He paid $15 million for the land, without gaining permission from Congress before hand. Which he argued he had the right to under the Constitution. He sent Lewis and Clark to explore this territory. They were supposed to map the territory, identify the various Native American groups and find the Northwest Passage. They were assisted by Sacagawea, who was 15 years old and helped guide the party.

Other important things: Established the Embargo Act of 1807, which banned trade between America and France or England. This caused the economy to go down and created a depression that adversely affected the United States for a few years. Barbary Wars: A series of wars between the United States and the countries of North Africa. The fighting was over the safe passage of trade ships to these countries, and the United States was able to create safe travel for the future.