Jeffersonian Democracy: 1800-1824
Jeffersonian democracy is a term used to describe a political outlook and
movement in the United States from the 1790s to the 1820s. The term was
commonly used to refer to the Democratic party at that time.
Jefferson's victory (an electoral tie decided by the House) in the election of
1800 shifted regional power to South and West from mercantile aristocracy
of Northeast.
Question: Why was this election hailed as the Revolution of 1800?
Jefferson's views:
1. Republicanism and civic duty.
2. Faith in the perfectibility of man.
3. Insistence on strong local governments (state’s rights.)
4. Each generation should remake its laws to stimulate democracy.
5. An agrarian republic of solid yeoman farmers led by an agrarian
aristocracy.
6. Separation of church and state
7. Less powerful judicial branch (no judicial review.)
Midnight judges & judicial review
1. Marbury and 15 other Federalist judges were appointed as Adams' term
expired. James Madison, incoming Secretary of State, does not deliver
appointments. Marbury sues Madison to carry out appointment – Marbury
v. Madison (1803.)
2. Chief Justice John Marshall rejects claim, contending that the Judiciary
Act of 1789 was unconstitutional, results:
a) Victory for DRs -- Federalists ousted.
b) Victory for the Federal Judiciary -- Marshall’s decision greatly
expands the power of Supreme Court by asserting precedent of
judicial review (the power of the Supreme Court to “say what the law
is” - the ability to rule an act of Congress as unconstitutional.)
c) Victory for Federalists -- Marshall’s utilizes the expanded power of
the federal judiciary to rule in favor of federalist policy long after the
Federalist party has ceased to exist.
Louisiana Purchase
1. Jefferson sent agents in Paris to purchase New Orleans, Napoleon
offers entire territory for $15 million.
2. Jefferson’s backing of acquisition violated his belief in strict construction
of Constitution by using necessary and proper clause.
Question: What factors do you think motivated Jefferson to back the
acquisition of the Louisiana territory at the expense of his strict
constructionist views?
Conflict over neutral rights and build-up to War of 1812
1. British and French ships seize American ships, cargoes, and sailors
(impressments.)
2. Jefferson responded with Embargo Act (1807), which prohibited all
American trade with foreign ports.
a) Greatly harmed American shipping (based in N.E.)
b) Jefferson became object of hatred in New England (will eventually
lead to Hartford Convention and a restatement of doctrine of
nullification.)
3. Madison inherits Jefferson’s policy of Economic coercion.
a) Non-intercourse Act (1809) replaced Embargo Act, reopens
trade with all nations except England and France.
b) Macon’s Bill #2 (1810) replaces Embargo Act and provides for reopening of trade with either England or France if either ends
interference with American shipping and trade.
4. The problem with this policy of economic coercion is that is does little
harm to England (they turn to newly opened S. American markets) but it
does great harm to our own domestic market and industries.
The War of 1812
The drift to war (1809-1812), Madison attempted to assert the right of
open navigation of the seas as a neutral nation.
"War Hawks." In 1810, a group of Democratic-Republicans from the South
and West, called the "War Hawks," were elected to Congress. Led by John
C. Calhoun of South Carolina and Henry Clay of Kentucky, they demanded
war against Britain to acquire Canada and against Britain's ally Spain, to
acquire Florida.
Causes of the War of 1812
Britain's seizure of American ships and impressments of American sailors.
See the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair. Madison's war message emphasized
these actions as violations of our "freedom of the seas."
Tecumsah’s War (1811) – War waged for control of the Great Lakes region
(see above). Americans condemn British for meddling in this war with the
Indians. Tecumsah eventually sides with British in the War of 1812.
The Americans' belief that the British in Canada were arming the Indians
and inciting them to raid American settlements.
American ambitions to annex Canada (Canada lust?) and Florida.
Primary cause of the war: maritime rights or territorial ambitions? The
Congressional vote favored war by little more than a majority. A
breakdown of the vote showed that the Northeast, which was concerned
with maritime rights, was mainly opposed to the war. The South and West,
which were for territorial expansion, were overwhelmingly in favor of the
war.
Military events of the war (1812-1815)
The Americans attempted several times to invade and conquer Canada.
These attempts prove unsuccessful.
British plan to invade the United States from Canada, British naval
squadrons are defeated by Captain Oliver Perry.
After initial victories by American naval vessels and privateers, British navy
asserts itself and drives America from the seas.
The British invade the Chesapeake Bay area, capture and burn
Washington, D.C.
The British attempt an invasion of the American Southwest, defeated by
Andrew Jackson at New Orleans. Andrew Jackson becomes a national
hero. Victory helps in the political solidification of the United States and
strengthen hold on newly acquired territories.
Treaty of Ghent (1814). Reestablished the prewar boundaries of the
United States.