The Presidency of Thomas Jefferson 1801-1809

Thomas Jefferson Democratic-Republican The Election of 1800 John Adams Federalist Thomas Jefferson Democratic-Republican

Jefferson defeated Adams but Aaron Burr, who was running for vice president with Jefferson, got an equal number of electoral votes. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

“and if no person have a majority [of the electoral votes], then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each state having one vote.” The election would be decided by the House of Representatives.

After 35 votes in the House Alexander Hamilton convinced members of the Federalist party to back Jefferson. He disliked Jefferson, but he REALLY distrusted Burr. Jefferson was elected president on the 36th ballot. This is called the “Revolution of 1800,” because it is the first transfer of power from one party to another.

In his inaugural address Jefferson said, “We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists. If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.” What does he mean when he says “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists?”

The Twelfth Amendment was added to the Constitution in 1804, saying that separate ballots would be used to vote for President and Vice President, so that nothing like this could ever happen again.

Simplifying the Presidency Jefferson believed that simple government was best for a Republic. He also believed that power should be decentralized (which means given to the states) Jefferson reduced the size of the army, halted a planned expansion of the navy and lowered government spending for social functions.

Simplifying the Presidency Jefferson also rolled back Hamilton’s economic programs. Jefferson believed in free trade, and that because of its raw materials and food America could be strong economically. Jefferson’s presidency was the start of a long period where the South dominated American politics.

Marbury v. Madison Background: In 1801, Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1801, that increased the number of federal judges. Adams worked to fill these spots, and the judges came to be called “midnight judges,” since they were appointed at the last minute. Adams also appointed a Federalist, John Marshall, to be the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Republicans were outraged an claimed the appointments were invalid

Marbury v. Madison What happened? William Marbury was one of the last-minute appointments and demanded that James Madison (Jefferson’s Secretary of State) deliver his papers. Marbury sued and the Supreme Court decided that The Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional. The Court said Marbury should get the appointment, but that it had no power to enforce its decision.

Marbury v. Madison So what? Marbury v. Madison established the power of judicial review, which the courts use to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. What does this do to the power of the courts?

The Duel!

The Feud Even though Federalists were on the decline, Alexander Hamilton remained a powerful influence. In 1800, Hamilton had convinced the Federalists to back Thomas Jefferson rather than Burr. In 1804 Burr ran for governor of New York, and Hamilton said Burr was “a dangerous man…who ought not be trusted with the reins of government.

What rules were there in a duel? The Duel Aaron Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. On July 11, 1804, the two men faced each other. Hamilton, who despised dueling, fired into the air. He was killed by Burr. What rules were there in a duel?

The Louisiana Purchase Background Settlers were moving West in large numbers In 1800, Napoleon “convinced” Spain to return the Louisiana territory, which it had lost in the French and Indian War

Louisiana Purchase The Deal: Jefferson offered to buy Florida and the port of New Orleans from Napoleon. Before the offer could be made, Napoleon offered to sell the whole Louisiana Territory for $15 million. Without consulting Jefferson, diplomats accepted.

Louisiana Purchase The Aftermath: Jefferson favored a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Since the Constitution doesn’t give the government the power to buy land, he was conflicted. He thought the vast new lands could form an “empire of liberty” and went ahead with the deal, which doubled the size of the United States.

Jefferson appointed Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.

Their goal was to carry out scientific studies and to document the Indian populations they encountered. For much of the way they were guided by a Native American woman named Sacajawea.

Their voyage uncovered a lot about the Louisiana Territory Their voyage uncovered a lot about the Louisiana Territory. It also opened the way for American settlement and strengthened American claims to the Oregon Territory

War in Europe: In the ongoing war between England and France, the British decided to blockade French ports to cut off trade. They would board and seize ships they thought were violating the blockade. The British seized over 1000 American ships by 1807.

The British: “War Hawks” (people who wanted to go to war with England, complained about the British policy of impressment, where the British Navy drafted American soldiers. They were also angry about the boarding of the Chesapeake, in which three American sailors were killed. In response, Congress passed an embargo to hurt England economically. This embargo stifled American business.

The Indians: The “War Hawks,” who included John C The Indians: The “War Hawks,” who included John C. Calhoun of South Carolina and Henry Clay of Kentucky also wanted action against the Indians. They wanted the Indians out of Indiana. Under the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, the Indians went to war with America.

The Indians: The Indians were defeated in 1811 at the battle of Tippecanoe by William Henry Harrison, who became a national hero. Afterwards it was discovered that the British had supplied the Indians with weapons. This led to renewed calls for war.