Thomas Jefferson Elected President in 1800
Election of 1800 There was a tie between Jefferson and Burr for the President. Alexander Hamilton, does not like Jefferson, but dislikes Aaron Burr even more. Hamilton convinces members of the House to vote for Jefferson, who becomes the President. Burr becomes the VP.
Adam’s Revenge John Adams is angry that he loses the election. The night before leaving office, he tries to appoint judges to the Supreme Court. These are the midnight judges. William Marbury did not get the job he was promised and tries to force the courts to appoint him.
Marbury v. Madison Chief Justice, John Marshall, denies the court order. Rules the Constitution does not allow the Supreme Court to issue court orders. This case established judicial review and allows the courts to decide if laws/acts are constitutional.
Jefferson’s Program in the West
Concerns over France France acquires the Louisiana territory from Spain. Concerned that Napoleon won’t allow the U.S. to access New Orleans, Jefferson sends Robert Livingston and James Monroe to France.
The Louisiana Purchase Napoleon offered to sell all of Louisiana to the U.S. The American diplomats offered $15 million. Congress approved the sale. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the U.S., and increased the national debt.
Jefferson puts together a team called The Corp of Discovery to explore the newly acquired territory.
The Expedition Meriwether Lewis was chosen to lead the expedition. Goals: Search for a Northwest Passage, map the land, make contact with Natives and examine natural resources.
William Clark Clark was chosen by Lewis to be the second in command. Clark had record keeping duties and created the maps. He also became responsible for publishing the expedition journals.
Some Corp Members York, Captain William Clark’s black servant, accompanied the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Pacific Ocean and back to the East. Almost 10 years after the expedition, Clark granted York his freedom.
Sacajawea She was a Shoshone native but was kidnapped as a child and lived with the Hidatsa tribe. She was traded to a Frenchman and became his wife. They joined the expedition at Fort Mandan. She was an interpreter and guide for the Corp.
The Journey Begins May 14, 1804 the Corp of discovery left with 33 men and Lewis’s dog. They travel in big keelboat and by two smaller boats up the Missouri River. Two months passed before the Corp saw natives. Most of the tribes were friendly and no battles resulted. Moving into the Great Plains, the expedition begins seeing animals unknown in the East: coyotes, antelope, prairie dogs, and others.
The Journey Continues By the winter, the corp seeks shelter among the Mandans at Fort Mandan. They meet Sacajawea and invite her on the journey. The corp continues their journey in the Spring.
Autumn Troubles The corp enters the Bitterroot Mountains in September. They almost starve and must eat one of their horses.
The Pacific They reach the Pacific in November, a year and a half after leaving St. Louis. They build Fort Clatsop and stay for the winter. In March they start the long journey home.
September 23, 1806 The corps splits into two groups in order to explore more territory. The expedition returns to St. Louis in September and are welcomed as heros. The corp only lost one man to illness.
Contributions New maps of the U.S. Records new species of plants and animals Discovery of Native American tribes Encouraged migration west
Jefferson’s Second Term Election of 1804
Hamilton and Burr Aaron Burr (VP) decided to run for the governorship of New York Alexander Hamilton urged his followers not to support Burr He lost the governorship and blamed Hamilton Burr challenged him to a duel Hamilton was shot dead and Burr was politically ruined
Jefferson’s End The war between Britain and France escalated Jefferson imposed the Embargo of 1807 It restricted trade between the U.S., Britain and France This hurt American business and ruined Jefferson’s term.