Chapter 9 Growth of a Nation

Thomas Jefferson-3rd President Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence (We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men all created equal.) Despite this, Jefferson owned hundreds of slaves and had children with one of his slaves as well

Reversing Federalist Policies Jefferson makes it a priority to change some of the actions of John Adams. He lets the Alien and Sedition Acts expire, reduces the debt and ends the whiskey tax Jefferson also works on changing the judges that are in power

Barbary Pirates One of Jefferson’s biggest challenges was the Barbary pirates (Muslims off the coast of North Africa who were raiding ships) America had paid a bribe before but the amount increased Instead of paying, Jefferson sent the navy to fight the Tripolitan War which helped America win respect

The Louisiana Purchase Napoleon Bonaparte wanted to set up a kingdom in America by starting in Haiti Yellow fever wiped out a large number of soldiers and forced Napoleon to sell the land Robert Livingston, Jefferson’s representative agreed to buy much more land than Jefferson intended

Lewis and Clark The US paid France $15 million for the land (3 cents per acre). Today this would be $233 million (42 cents per acre) Jefferson picks Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead an expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory They faced danger the entire time and were nearly killed many times They were helped enormously by a French fur trapper and his wife Sacagawea who helped guide the expedition

The Pike Expedition Zebulon Pike was chosen to lead a second expedition to the southwest area of the Louisiana Purchase Pikes Peak in Colorado is named after him. He was instrumental in opening up the settlement of the West

British and French Actions Britain and France are at war and are trying to get America involved. Britain issued their Orders in Council which made it illegal for neutral nations to trade in European ports unless they stopped at a British port for inspection first France responded by issuing the Berlin and Milan Decrees which stated that neutral ships trading with Britain or obeying the Orders in Council could be seized

The Chesapeake Affair British soldiers began to leave their ships and join American ships One British deserter insulted his officers before joining the U.S.S. Chesapeake A British ship found the Chesapeake and attacked, killing 3 Americans The Chesapeake Affair made people hunger for war but Jefferson resisted

Embargo Act of 1807 Jefferson responded by issuing an embargo, a stop on all exports from the United States. Jefferson hoped that this would hurt Britain but it ended up hurting America more Before leaving office, Jefferson issued a new act which allowed trade with countries other than France and Britain

Issues with Indians As settlers move further west, they encounter issues with the Indians in the area Tecumseh was one of the first Indian leaders to stand up to the settlers. He tried to stop the westward expansion of settlers. William Henry Harrison marched a group of soldiers to fight the Indians and burned their village

War Hawks The rising feeling of nationalism led to Congressman Henry Clay of Kentucky being elected Speaker of the House. Clay led a group called the War Hawks who spoke against Britain and focused on defense The relationship with Britain continued to deteriorate and led to the War of 1812

War of 1812 America is facing difficulties at sea and on land and is being regularly defeated In 1813, Oliver Hazard Perry was able to defeat the British after nearly a year of preparation Britain is finally defeated after failing to take control of Baltimore Andrew Jackson held the British off in New Orleans and earned the nickname “Stonewall” at the Battle of New Orleans The Treaty of Ghent officially ended the war and helped inspire a feeling of nationalism (pride for one’s country)