The New Nation:
The Jeffersonian Era
Thomas Jefferson
Political Parties Review
Federalists
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Followers of Hamilton
Manufacturing
Strong federal gov’t
Loose interpretation of the
Constitution
Preferred Britain
Believed “the best people”
should run the government.
For Bank of the U.S.
Tariffs
Supported by lawyers,
merchants, manufacturers
and clergy
Democratic-Republicans
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Followers of Jefferson
Farming
Limited Government
Strict interpretation of the
constitution
Preferred France
Believed in the “noble
farmer” & democracy for all.
Bank is unconstitutional
Free Trade
Farmers & trades-people
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• Called Republicans*
Topics of debate
• War with France???
John Adams did not declare war and this caused the
Federalist party to split:
Supporters of Adams – Federalists
Supporters of Hamilton – High Federalists
• Alien and sedition acts
High Federalists argued that these laws were
important to keep out European spies.
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
• Republicans’ response to the Alien and Sedition acts.
• These resolutions claimed that states had the right to
nullify – or cancel – a law that is unconstitutional. (10th
Amendment)
• Only KY and VA passed these resolutions. (Written by
Jefferson and Madison)
• These resolutions set up the arguments for states’
rights.
The Election of 1800
• Republicans supported Thomas Jefferson and Aaron
Burr for President and Vice-President
• Federalists supported John Adams and Charles
Pinckney.
• Hamilton – convinced supporters to vote for
Pinckney instead of Adams…this causes a tie for
President between Jefferson and Burr with 73
electoral votes.
Tie Breaker
• According to the Constitution, the House of
Representatives votes on a tie in the electoral
college.
• Federalists decided to vote for Burr over the
“dangerous” Jefferson.
• Vote is taken 36 times over six days.
• Alexander Hamilton finally convinces enough people
to support Jefferson – he feels he is less dangerous
than Aaron Burr.
Effects of the Election of 1800
• Federalist party never
regains power.
• Beginning of a feud
between Alexander
Hamilton and Aaron Burr.
• 12 Amendment is passed:
votes for President and
Vice-President cast
separately.
Jefferson’s New Policies
1. Allows Alien and Sedition Acts to expire.
2. Repealed Whiskey Tax
3. Laissez faire – “let alone”
-- Jefferson believed in a Free market economy
with little government control.
-- Secretary of Treasury, Albert Gallatin,
reduced the size of the U.S. Government and
military.
Jefferson’s “Old” Policies
Wanted to make peace between political parties:
“We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists”
1. Keeps the Bank of the United States
2. Continues to pay off debts of the States with
Federal money.
3. Keeps many Federalists in their positions.
Marbury v Madison
• Background Information:
• John Adams & Congress passed the Judiciary
Act of 1801 before Jefferson was inaugurated.
• Law increased the number of federal judges, and
Adams spent his last few months getting
Federalists appointed to the positions and
approved by Congress.
• Not all appointments were made when Jefferson
told Secretary of State James Madison not to
deliver any more.
Marbury vs. Madison – The Issue
William Marbury did not receive his appointment
and petitioned the Supreme Court saying the
Judiciary Act of 1789 gave them the power to
decide.
He wanted the Supreme Court to force James
Madison to give him his commision.
John Marshall
• Appointed Chief Justice
by John Adams
• Federalist
• Believed in increasing
the power of the
Supreme Court and
Judicial Branch.
Decision
• The Judiciary Act of 1789 is unconstitutional – it did
not give them the power to decide this case.
This means – William Marbury does not get his
commission.
BUT: by saying the law was unconstitutional,
Marshall established the power of JUDICIAL
REVIEW.
JUDICIAL REVIEW
1. The Constitution is the supreme law.
2. When there is conflict between a law & the
Constitution, the Constitution is correct.
3. The judicial branch decides if laws are
constitutional.
Significance:
• Made the Judicial Branch stronger.
• Created an even greater balance of power
between the branches of government.
1803 – Louisiana Purchase
• Spain returned New Orleans to France
• France needed money for their war with England.
Jefferson offered to buy New Orleans.
• Napoleon offered all of the Louisiana Territory for
$15 million.
• Jefferson justified this with the powers of the
government to make treaties.
Effects of the Louisiana Purchase
• Doubled the size of the United States
• Secured trade on the Mississippi River.
• Accurate maps of the west created by
explorers.
• Raises concerns:
– Eastern states don’t want to lose power.
– What are the Native Americans like? How do we
protect it?
– Is slavery legal there?
The Corps of Discovery
• Expedition of Meriwether
Lewis and William Clark
and 40 men.
• Mapped a route to the
Pacific Ocean
• Made contact with Native
American tribes.
• Took notes on geography
and wildlife in the
Louisiana Territory.
Sacagawea
• Shoshone Indian
• Translated for Lewis and
Clark expedition
• Guided them on their
quest to map a path to
the Pacific Ocean.
“Our journey would have
ended in failure without
her aid”
Zebulon Pike
• Sent to find the source
of the Red and Missouri
Rivers.
• Explored Louisiana
Territory south and
west of St. Louis
Pikes Peak
The Barbary Coast Pirates
• Jefferson refused to pay
tributes to Tripoli.
• Tripoli declared war on the
U.S.
• After two years, we signed
a peace treaty – it included
a $60 thousand payment
for US hostages.
More Problems at Sea
Jefferson wanted to maintain peace with other nations, with no alliances.
However…
1. England and France began to seize American ships
that traded supplies with the other country.
2. Britain would kidnap American sailors and force them
to work on their ships.
Impressment: Forced service in another country’s navy.
• Over 6,000 Americans were kidnapped from 18031812, and impressed into the British Navy.
Embargo Act of 1807
Jefferson placed an embargo on trade to ALL foreign
countries to protect US ships & to avoid war.
Embargo – a complete stop of trade.
This law hurt Americans more than the French and
English & was repealed.
This law was replaced in 1809 with the
Non-Intercourse Act which banned trade with
England, France, and their colonies
Election of 1808
• James Madison is elected the 4th
President.
• Democratic-Republican
• State of Virginia
• “Father of the Constitution”;
Author of the Bill of Rights
• Member of House of Reps.;
Secretary of State
Tecumseh
• Shawnee Chief
• Hoped to unite all Native
American tribes.
• Provided weapons by the
British.
“The white people have no
right to take the land from
the Indians, because the
Indians had it first.”
Battle of Tippecanoe
• Indiana Territory Gov.
William Henry Harrison
is attacked while
Tecumseh is away.
• Native Americans led
by “The Prophet”
• U.S. Army troops are
victorious.
Macon’s Bill
• Solution to trade issues with France and
Britain.
• Offered to continue the Non-Intercourse Act
against the enemy of whichever country
agreed to honor American neutrality.
• France agreed.
• THIS MEANS we will continue the NonIntercourse Act with England.
War Hawks
• Pro-War
• Republicans
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Henry Clay – KY
John C. Calhoun – SC
Felix Grundy – TN
Peter Porter - NY
Opposition to War
1. New England Federalists – Favored trade
with Britain.
2. Merchants – Losing money from lack of
trade.
• June 1, 1812: Madison
asks Congress to
declare war.
• June 16: England
honors neutrality.
• June 18: Congress
votes in favor of war.
Major Battles
“The Star Spangled Banner”
• Poem Written by
Francis Scott Key
• Written about the
British assault on Ft.
McHenry outside of
Baltimore, MD
• Basis of the National
Anthem
Hartford Convention
• December, 1814 meeting of Federalists in Hartford, CT
• Threatened secession if the war continued.
• News of peace arrived during their convention.
• Federalist party’s reputation becomes even weaker.
Treaty of Ghent
• Ends War of 1812
• Restored pre-war conditions
Did not mention impressments or
neutrality.
Did not settle northern border disputes.