2. Thomas Jefferson’s Presidency

3. The Beginning
March 4, 1801
Thomas Jefferson is the first President inaugurated in the new capital city of Washington D.C.
Jefferson brings his simple and laid back style to the presidency.
He delivers his first inaugural address. This address outlines what he feels are the essential principles of government.

4. First Inaugural Address
Essential Principles of Government
“equal and exact justice to all men”
“peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations”
“the support of state governments”
“the preservation of general government”
punishment for those who choose to revolt
compliance with the decisions of the majority

5. First Inaugural Address
Essential Principles of Government Cont…
“a well disciplined militia” (reduce navy)-why?
honest payment of debts
maintaining a sound economy
proper distribution of information
freedom of religion
freedom of the press
we are ALL republican and federalist

6. Undo-Federalist Policy
The Sedition Act had expired, but President Jefferson Pardoned all who were in jailed or fine because of this Act.
Alien act: was changed by the “naturalization act of 1802,” which returned the time an immigrant had to wait to become citizen to 5 years.

7. What about the Economic policies of hated Hamilton?
Under the new secretary of treasury Albert Gallatin, president Jefferson:
Kept the bank of the United States
Raised the Tariff
Repealed only the tax, as Jefferson felt it affected only low income Americans. This cost the government about a million dollars in revenue.
Was able to reduce debt by keeping a tight and balanced budget.
Jefferson kept most of Hamilton’s Economic Policies, including parts of the Hamilton Plan.
Believed in Laissez-Faire and free market policy.
Is the Laissez faire policy in line with Jefferson’s believe?

8. Madison Vs. Marbury
President Adams passed the Judiciary act of 1801, this appointed many new judges to high courts around the country. Including the very Federalist chief justice, John Marshall.
When Jefferson took office he asked his secretary of state James Madison to “shelve” some of the designations. The federalist William Marbury sued James Madison. The Judiciary Act of 1789, stated that the supreme court had to settle disputes between government officials. However, Judge Marshall dismissed the case claiming that the task assigned by the Act of 1789 was unconstitutional.
they are known as midnight judges, because it is said that Adams appointed them well into the last night of his presidency.

9. In this self-denying verdict, Marshall claimed that the supreme court should not settle disputes between officials. This verdict strengthened the Supreme Court and create Judicial Review.
Under Judicial Review, it is the supreme court’s task to determine if a law is constitutional or not.
This undermined Jefferson’s Kentucky and Virginia Resolution which said it was up to the state to determine the constitutionality of a law.

10. Original Map can be found at:
Barbary Wars
May 1801
Pasha of Tripoli informally declares war with the US because President Jefferson refused to continue to pay for protection.
On the 20th Peaceful Jefferson had to send the first naval fleet to the area.
After intermittent fighting, the US wins. Jefferson commissions the building of tiny gunboats to protect US coast.
Map of the Barbary Wars
Original Map can be found at:

11. Louisiana Purchase
Napoleon convinced the Spanish to give the Louisiana territory to the French. Why?
The US does not find out until the access to New Orleans is shut. Would you want Napoleon as your neighbor?
Jefferson sends Monroe to join Livingston in Paris to buy New Orleans and any land west of Mississippi for $10 million.
What if the French denied? Prepare for war? Seek alliances?
France loses control of its most profit producing colony- Haiti
Napoleon decided to sell Louisiana to the US, needs money to maintain empire and War with Britain.

12. Louisiana Purchase April 30, 1803
Robert Livingston & James Monroe signed the Louisiana Purchase Treaty in Paris
The United States paid $15 million for the land, roughly 4 cents per acre
The purchase added 828,00 square miles of land west of the Mississippi to the United States
July 4 the Louisiana Purchase is publicly announced
Original treaty can be found at:

13. Maps of the Louisiana Purchase
The original maps can be found at:

14. Lewis and Clark Expedition
January 18, 1803
Jefferson asks Congress for funds to explore the land west of the Mississippi
His goal is to find a water route to the Pacific
May 1804
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark depart on the expedition
Map of Lewis and Clark’s Route
Original map can be found at:

15. Lewis and Clark Expedition
34 people parted including their Shoshone guide: Sacajawea
1 explorer died in Iowa.
2.5 year expedition- horses and walking.
Important observations- wildlife, territory, resources, inhabitants.
Reached the pacific.

16. Lewis and Clark Expedition
January 18, 1803
Jefferson sends a secret message to congress regarding the Lewis and Clark Expedition
In this message Jefferson asks for permission to establish trading with the Indians
The original message can be found at: