The Jefferson
Administration
The Election of 1800
• The “Revolution of 1800 ...was as real a revolution in the
principles of our government as that of 1776. was in it’s
form; not effected indeed by the sword, as that, but by the
rational and peaceable instrument of reform, the suffrage of
the people." –TJ
• Anger over the Alien and Sedition Acts – blamed on Adams;
Federalist Party will never win another election.
• Midnight Judges – Federalists maintain their political
influence
Jefferson’s Goals
1. Heal the Divisions: , “We are all Republicans, We are all
Federalists.”
2. Solve the New Orleans problem
3. Shrink the Government
4. Stay out of Europe’s Wars
5. Land in the West
6. Free Trade
Heal the Divisions
•
•
•
•
Jefferson allows the Alien and Sedition Acts to expire
Reduces taxes and spending – effect?
Reduces the size of the Army and Navy
Reduces the influence of the National Bank
Reaction?
Louisiana Purchase - 1803
• Jefferson wanted the port of New Orleans
• Haiti was liberated from France by Toussaint L’Ouverture
– significance?
Louisiana Purchase - 1803
• Napoleon is in the mood to sell - Why? $15 Million
• Problem for Jefferson: 1. Strict
interpretation ??? 2. What’s out there?
• Lewis & Clark Expedition – 1803 - 33-50
men and Sacajawea; pave the way for
westward expansion – Continental Nation
Marbury v. Madison
• Marbury v. Madison—William Marbury sues to have papers
delivered
- Judiciary Act of 1789 requires Supreme Court order
- Marshall rules requirement unconstitutional
• Judicial review—Supreme Court able to declare laws
unconstitutional
Problems Staying Neutral
• France and GB: @ war
• Both impose
blockades
• Britain & France
seize US ships &
cargo: By 1807, GB
seized 1,000;France
about 500
• US focused more on
GB because of
impressment and….?
• Chesapeake Incident:
• British demand right
to check US ship.
• 1807, British warship
opens fire - kills 5
Americans
Jefferson’s Response
• Embargo Act (1807): US
would not trade with
Europe - Ban on exports
• IMPACT: severely hurt US
businesses – esp. New
England
• Repealed by 1809
Battle of Tippecanoe
• Tecumseh organized
confederation of tribes
against US Expansion
West
• defeated by William
Henry Harrison at
Tippecanoe.
• British supported the
Native Americans supplied guns and
ammunition.
• War Hawks: Louder call
for war; Clay (West) and
Calhoun (South)
Divisions in the Critical Period
Inherent Divisions
Man-Made Divisions
?
?
Geographic
Economic
Political