11/5/2012
THE ADMINISTRATIONS OF ADAMS
AND JEFFERSON, 1796-1808
ELECTION OF 1796
A New Era of Faction Develops
Election of 1796 promoted the growth
of political parties in US.
Jefferson—candidate of Republicans.
Disgusted with Federalists’ “kingly” attitude
and focus.
Aaron Burr—”VP” candidate of Republicans.
Revolutionary hero.
Well connected politically and socially.
Elected to US Senate 1791.
John Adams was Federalist candidate.
SC gov Thomas Pinckney was “VP” candidate.
Home of Thomas Jefferson’s Postmaster General, Gideon Granger of
Canandaigua
Confusion in voting—much due to Hamilton’s
dislike of Adams.
Thomas Jefferson
Adams wins, but Jefferson is elected VP.
ADAMS FAILED TO HEAL POLITICAL STRIFE
12th Amendment was needed
Separate voting for Pres and VP
Not adopted until 1803!
Resulted in bigger problem in 1800.
Adams angered both sides.
Acted as if above politics.
Kept radical Federalist cabinet.
Made no effort to conciliate.
Refused diplomatic appointment for
James Madison.
Formal personality did not help.
Adams and Jefferson could not work
together.
John Adams
“XYZ AFFAIR”
“XYZ AFFAIR”
Revolutionary government of France looked
for opportunity to make use of American
political splits.
French got involved with our electoral
politics 1796.
Adams disgusted by French.
Replaced a sympathetic ambassador
(Monroe) with a Federalist (CC
Pinckney).
French broke relations and began seizing US
ships.
Adams asked Congress for military build-up
1797.
Adams also sent John Marshall and Elbridge
Gerry to help Pinckney negotiate with
France.
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
USS Constitution 1797
One of Six Frigates of New US Navy
French minister Talleyrand would not
negotiate.
American go-betweens reported French
wanted bribes.
American diplomats broke off talks and
reported incident to Adams.
Public united against France—”XYZ Affair.”
Adams got Congress to create a Navy and
build 6 ships.
Militia and army expanded—Privateers
authorized.
Washington and Hamilton actually took
field command of army for brief period.
Charles Maurice de Tallyrand-Périgord
No declaration of war.
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A NEW NAVY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
44-Gun Frigate USS Philadelphia (1799) a Donated Ship
Revenue Cutter Pickering Captured 10 French Ships 1798-99.
FEDERALISTS STRUCK AT REPUBLICAN SUPPORTERS
VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY RESOLUTIONS
Federalists used quasi-war with
France to attack Republicans.
Referred to Jefferson’s party as
“French Party.”
Federalists in Congress proposed
new laws:
Naturalization act—extended
residency requirement for
citizenship 5-14 years.
Alien Act—allowed President to
deport any foreigner
considered dangerous.
Alien Enemies Act—allowed President to imprison or banish any foreigner
during national emergency.
Sedition Act—allowed imprisonment of anyone publishing statements that
brought government into contempt.
Primarily used to suppress Republicans.
FINANCING QUASI-WAR CONTENTIOUS
“Fries Rebellion” in Pennsylvania
Hamilton supporters wanted to pay
for quasi-war with France using
tariffs and excise taxes.
Federalists also supported increased
taxes on land—hardship for
farmers.
“Fries Rebellion” in Pa. suppressed by
Adams administration.
Hearth Tax imposed on fireplaces in
houses reminded many Pa.
residents of similar tax in
Germany—much hated.
Fries and 2 supporters convicted and
sentenced to death—eventually
pardoned.
UNDECLARED WAR WITH FRANCE
Opposition to the Alien and Sedition
Acts focused on state legislatures.
Congress and judiciary controlled by
Federalist party.
Virginia (Madison) and Kentucky
(Jefferson) passed resolutions of
protest.
Men argued for states rights.
Madison argued that states could
collectively overrule US when 10th
Amendment violated.
Jefferson argued that individual
states could negate federal
legislation.
FRIES HOUSE
Near Allentown, Pa.
“Fries Rebellion”. Roberts Tavern.
Quakertown, Pa. Mar. 6, 1799.
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WAR WITH FRANCE WAS POLITICALLY COSTLY
Adams administration alienated many
Americans.
Adams seized opportunity to reopen
diplomacy with France.
Hamilton and supporters angry with
Adams over talks with France
Adams tried to heal wounds:
Dismissed 3 Federalist cabinet
members.
Pardoned John Fries.
Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in
France—not interested in
problems with US—peace
followed.
Convention of Mortefontaine ended
quasi-war.
“The Park at Mortefontaine” 1806 by JeanJoseph-Xavier Bidauld
ELECTION OF 1800 BITTER
Election of 1800 bitter.
Republicans and Federalists attacked each
other politically and personally.
Hamilton’s faction tried to rig the election
against Adams in favor of C.C. Pinckney-again.
Federalists lost popular vote by large margin.
Jefferson and Burr got same number of
electoral votes, however.
Burr conspired to be President.
US came close to civil war.
Jefferson won:
Federalist H of R had to choose.
Hamilton influenced Federalists in H of R
to vote for Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson
ELECTION RESULTS
12TH AMENDMENT RESULTED FROM 1800 ELECTION
12th Amendment resulted from
deadlock of 1800 election.
Amendment required separate
balloting for President and VP.
Eliminated possibility that VP
candidate could get to be
President.
Finally ratified by states in 1804.
ELECTION OF 1800 A REVOLUTION
Election of 1800 a revolution in gov.
principles.
Jefferson did not like to use gov.
power to crush opposition.
Republicans—great faith in common
people and democracy.
Congress repealed Naturalization Act
and allowed Alien and Sedition
Laws to expire.
Concept of “loyal opposition” party
grows—now the Federalists.
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JEFFERSON’S VISION OF AMERICA A BLUEPRINT
FOR HIS POLICIES
Jefferson intended to let his ideal of
good nation guide policy.
Wanted room for people to spread
out.
Wanted to avoid overpopulation and
urbanization—had corrupted
Europe.
Wanted to avoid gov. support of
large-scale industry.
Believed in virtue of yeoman farmer.
Believed America could grow surplus
and trade for manufactured
goods.
Wanted to promote free trade.
Needed to convince Britain and
France to drop trade restrictions—
a problem!
JEFFERSON HAD AUSTERE PRESIDENCY
Jefferson’s presidency more austere than Washington or Adams.
Washington, DC new and without luxuries.
Lead simple life and avoided marks of status.
FEDERALISTS RELIED ON JUDGES TO KEEP THEIR INFLUENCE
Federalists wanted to secure their
influence after 1800 election.
Passed Judiciary Act of 1801.
A “Lame Duck” law.
Created 16 new judges and court
circuits.
Created many new US Marshals
and clerks.
Federalists intended to appoint
Federalists to positions before
Jefferson inaugurated.
John Marshall appointed Chief Justice.
Many other appointments not
delivered by Adams’ last day in
office.
REPUBLICANS TRIED TO REVERSE FEDERALIST
APPOINTMENTS
Once in office, Jefferson and Republicans tried
to reverse Federalist acts.
Congress repealed Judiciary Act of 1801.
Proposed new act of 1802—abolished some
courts.
Question--who could interpret and enforce law?
Chief Justice John Marshall
MARBURY v. MADISON 1803
Marbury v. Madison Case set
ALBERT GALLATIN HAD NEW ECONOMIC VISION
Albert Gallatin new Sec. of Treasury.
He wanted to undue Hamilton’s plans.
Wanted to pay off US debts.
Cut federal costs:
Eliminated “waste.”
Cut Army and Navy.
Cut many employees—many
Federalists.
Repealed all federal taxes except
import duties.
Used western land sales to raise
money.
Put more emphasis on state action.
important precedent.
DC case—so went right to Supreme
Court.
Case put Jefferson in difficult spot.
To get what he wanted, Jefferson had
to allow Supreme Court to set
precedent of judicial review.
Federal courts, not states, would pass
on constitutionality of laws.
Later impeachments forced moderate
positions in both parties.
Trial transcript
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BARBARY PIRATES CAUSED TROUBLE AGAIN
Barbary Pirates (N. coast of Africa) began preying on US shipping again.
Jefferson did not want to pay expensive bribes.
Jefferson sent ships to Barbary coast.
Pirates had to be bribed after US attacks failed.
FRANCE OFFERED ALL LOUISIANA FOR SALE
MISSISSIPPI NAVIGATION A PROBLEM
Jefferson wanted to open Mississippi to
Americans on better terms.
Spain allowed toll-free shipment and “right
of deposit” in New Orleans.
Napoleon Bonaparte got control of New
Orleans and Louisiana in 1800.
Free trade on river nearly ended.
French invasion feared by US.
France turned attention to Europe.
War going on.
Lost an army on Santo Domingo.
Jefferson told US Ambassador to France
(Robert Livingston) to try to buy New
Orleans for $2 million.
Toussaint L’Ouverture
LOUISIANA PURCHASE 1803
France minister Talleyrand offered
Americans all of Louisiana for
$15 million.
Offer a problem for Jefferson.
Wanted to buy expansion land.
Believed he didn’t have authority.
Resorted to same justification as
Federalists—implied powers.
3 benefits for US:
Got France out of N. America.
Secured Mississippi River travel.
Provided expansion room for farmers.
Federalists objected to expansion—feared loss of more power.
LEWIS AND CLARK MISSION AUTHORIZED EARLY
Jefferson wanted to explore
Louisiana.
He also wanted to check influence of
French and Spanish with Indians.
Got Congress to authorize military
and scientific expedition.
Lewis and Clark “Corps of
Discovery”--1804-1806
Exceeded authority and went all the
way to Pacific—laid basis for US
claim later.
Sacagawea—guide.
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1805 AND 1806 PIKE EXPEDITIONS
Jefferson also sent out Zebulon Pike
1805 AND 1806.
Similar mission to Lewis and Clark—
but more obviously military.
Pike explored upper Mississippi 180506.
Explored Colorado and SW 1806-07.
Stopped by Spanish and sent back to
US 1807.
Zebulon Pike
ELECTIONS OF 1802-1804
1802-1804 elections
Republican party got stronger
Very popular.
Federalist party virtually died out.
Many Federalist leaders left politics.
Federalists focused on fears about Louisiana
Purchase as issue.
Cost too much.
Jefferson violated own principles.
Tended to create agrarian bloc.
Jefferson policies fostered trade.
Nation prospered 1800-1804.
Jefferson got large victory 1804.
1804 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Thomas Jefferson
CRISES ON THE HORIZON IN 1805
1805—crises looming for America.
Political crises
Native Americans upset by
westward expansion.
Troubles with Britain and France
continued.
Suspicions increased that British
agents were stirring up
Indians.
FEDERALISTS AGITATE FOR CHANGE
Federalists unhappy about loss of power.
Timothy Pickering formed “Essex Junto.”
Proposed changes in Constitution.
Wanted to end 3/5 compromise.
Wanted to make new state admissions
harder.
Calculated to hurt Republican party.
Tecumseh and The Prophet
Shawnee Half-brothers
Timothy Pickering
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REPUBLICANS SPLIT OVER POLICIES AND POLITICS
Jefferson and John Randolph opposed
each other over “Yazoo Affair” in
Georgia.
A corrupt Ga. Land sale was passed
to the federal gov. when Ga.
Ceded western lands in
1802.
Jefferson approved—Randolph felt it
should have been solved by
Georgia.
MORE REPUBLICAN SPLITS
Randolph and Jefferson split again in
1806.
Jefferson asked Congress for $2
million to pay for French influence
in getting Spain to sell Florida.
Randolph felt Jefferson violated
principles.
“Tertium Quid” political faction
formed within Republican Party.
John Randolph
AARON BURR A NEW PROBLEM
Jefferson angry at Burr over Burr’s
actions in the 1800 election.
Essex Junto (Federalists) enlisted
Burr’s help in winning NY election.
Hamilton circulated anti-Burr letters
1804.
Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel—
killed him.
Burr avoided prosecution because of
Congressional immunity.
Burr later tried for treason as a result
of conspiracy with Gen. James
Wilkinson in Louisiana.
Treason charge failed because it
didn’t meet the definition of
treason.
Weehawken, NJ July 11, 1804
Gen. James Wilkinson
US PROFITED FROM EUROPEAN WAR
Conflict in Europe made huge market
for Americans.
European nations willing to respect
American neutrality to get food
and goods.
Much American trade was transshipped from West Indies to
Europe through US.
As European gov. pressed each
other—cared less for American
neutrality.
THE HAMILTON-BURR DUEL
“Salem Harbor” by Fitz Hugh Lane
IMPRESSMENT A PROBLEM
British impressment of sailors a
thorny issue.
1803—British begin “reclaiming” their
deserters.
Even on American ships.
Even if now American citizens.
Major issue of national pride.
Huge problem for merchant marine.
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BRITAIN AND FRANCE RESORTED TO ECONOMIC WAR
CHESAPEAKE—LEOPARD AFFAIR ANGERED AMERICANS
June 1807– British ship Leopard
stopped American ship
Chesapeake in American waters.
American ship fired upon in own
waters.
Several Americans killed.
Naturalized American sailors
impressed into Royal Navy.
Napoleon issued “Berlin Decree”--1806.
Barred ships from entering French
harbors if stopped in British ports.
British required ships to stop in Britain first
and pay tax before going to Europe
mainland.
Neutral nations caught between two.
British increased impresment of sailors and
strengthened blockade.
Napoleon
JEFFERSON EMBARGOED TRADE
France issued “Milan Decree” after
Chesapeake affair.
France stopped any ship with license
to trade with Britain.
Then France said it would take any
ship that had been boarded by
British—even against its will.
Jefferson issued Embargo—all
American ports closed to trade
with warring powers—unless
recognized American right to trade
anywhere.
Believed Europeans would come to
terms with US because of need.
RACIAL ISSUES GREW UNDER JEFFERSON
Jefferson’s policies did not help
everyone.
African-Americans still largely
enslaved.
Native Americans marginalized on
frontiers.
Jefferson had low opinion of AfricanAmerican abilities.
Jefferson supported colonizing former
slaves in W. Africa.
Beginning in 1790s—slavery ended in
northern states.
Equality not real, however.
EMBARGO CAUSED DEPRESSION
Jefferson’s embargo resulted in
economic depression.
• Trade fell by 50%+.
• Many legal problems for
debtors
• New Englanders began to
revive interest in Federalist
policies.
• Cost of consumer goods rose.
Embargo not enforced well—
much trade to Canada and
West Indies.
Western farmers agitated for war
with Britain.
JEFFERSON CONSIDERED INDIANS TO BE SAVAGES
Needed Separation, Uplifting, Aculturation
Jefferson felt Indians were culturally
deprived—savages.
Wanted to lift Indians to new cultural
level.
Promoted acculturation.
Rising elites among Indians caused
trouble.
Cherokee and Creeks had strong
economies and governments
White neighbors feared
development.
Jefferson suggested moving
Indians to “Indian Territory.”
Creek Chief, Alexander McGillivray
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WESTWARD EXPANSION CHANGED SOCIETY
IN JEFFERSON YEARS
Louisiana Purchase and settlement of
old NW and SW changed society.
More people became independent at
earlier age.
Population shifts changed business
arrangements.
Rapid expansion in west strained
ability to govern territories.
Many problems in west:
Lack of good transportation.
River transportation was one-way.
Economy localized in west—and
volatile.
Society not cohesive in west.
RELIGIOUS CHANGES BEGAN DURING JEFFERSON ERA
Growing belief in liberal religious
thought.
Much faith in achieving perfection.
Jefferson even edited own Bible.
More rationalism found its way into
religious thought.
Unitarian movement developed—
rejected old doctrines like trinity
and divinity of Christ.
Splits in many religious groups began
to develop slowly.
“Second Great Awakening” began
1801.
Stressed individual salvation.
Also stressed sense of community.
Many religious groups formed synods,
councils, conventions, etc.
Cane Ridge Meetinghouse, Ky Three
denominations formed from meeting
of 20,000 people here in 1801.
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