1. Jeffersonian Philosophy and establishment of Judicial Review
Jeffersonian America
Jeffersonian Philosophy and establishment of Judicial Review

2. The Death of George Washington
George Washington died December 14, 1799, after contracting an illness from a ride at Mt. Vernon during a winter storm
He was only 3 years removed from the presidency
His death left a hole in the Federalist Party that it could not overcome in 1800
“First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” –Edmund Randolph delivering Washington’s Eulogy

3. The Election of . There is no popular vote at this time
Electors chosen by the state legislature meet in Philadelphia to choose president
No single candidate won a majority of electoral votes
Results in a tie between Jefferson and Burr
The Constitution called for election to be decided by the House of Representatives
Candidate
Electoral vote
Thomas Jefferson 73
Aaron Burr
John Adams 65
Charles Pinckney 64

4. A Renaissance Man – The Sage of Monticello
Thomas Jefferson was more than just a lawyer and politician
He was an avocational architect, a skilled violinist, amateur scientist, avid horseman and a voracious reader
Jefferson advised the designers of the city of Washington, D.C. and created his home, Monticello, in Virginia

5. Jefferson’s Contradictions
He was born into wealth and privilege yet he championed the rule by virtue and merit and the life of small farmers
Thomas Jefferson was a wealthy planter that owned many slaves yet wrote that “all men are created equal”
Although many southern leaders freed their slaves upon their death, Jefferson did not

6. Jeffersonian Ideals
Jefferson was convinced that the future of America rested in the creation of a nation of small independent farmers
He believed an agrarian population would better support the ideals of a democratic and republican government
Jefferson feared the result of Americans crowding into cities as had happened in Europe

7. Undoing Federalist Policies
Jefferson and the Democratic Republicans believed the federal government should have less power
Allowed Alien and Sedition Acts to expire
Freed people convicted under the acts
Abolished many taxes
Including the Whiskey Tax
Reduced the size of the military
Reduced national debt using money from tariffs and land sales

8. Adams and the Midnight Judges – The Judiciary Act of 1801
John Adams used this act to appoint as many federalist judges as he could between the election of 1800 and Jefferson’s inauguration
Adams supposedly remained at his desk until well into the night signing the commissions of the “midnight” judges.
Packed the courts full of federalist judges who would serve for life
Adams also appointed a new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall, a cousin of Thomas Jefferson and a lifelong Federalist, committed to strengthening the federal government.

10. Marbury vs. madison
Jefferson told Secretary of State James Madison not to deliver Adams’ remaining judge commissions
One of the new judges (William Marbury) was angered & asked the Supreme Court to order Madison to deliver his comission
Marbury used the Judiciary Act of 1789 that set-up the court system as the basis of his lawsuit

11. Supreme Court’s Opinion
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall (appointed by former President John Adams) gave the court’s opinion
Opinion identified which cases the Court could hear directly & this was not one of them
The case should have first been heard in a lower court
Marshall ruled the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional and void
Established judicial review
Judicial Review – reviewing decisions of other branches and deciding if it is constitutional

12. Quote inscribed on the wall of the Supreme Court building
- Washington, D.C.