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Thomas Jefferson: American Enigma

Thomas Jefferson: American Enigma. Libertyville HS. Thomas Jefferson, Genius. True Renaissance Man Politician, writer, scholar, inventor, linguist, naturalist, archaeologist, slave holder, mathematician, agronomist, philosopher, horseman, rifleman, diplomat, architect, lawyer

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Thomas Jefferson: American Enigma

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  1. Thomas Jefferson: American Enigma Libertyville HS

  2. Thomas Jefferson, Genius • True Renaissance Man • Politician, writer, scholar, inventor, linguist, naturalist, archaeologist, slave holder, mathematician, agronomist, philosopher, horseman, rifleman, diplomat, architect, lawyer • Author of Declaration of Independence, VA Statute for Religious Freedom, VP, President

  3. Jeffersonian Democracy • VA aristocrat who believed in republican ideals (power of people, no nobility) • Believed . . . • Capable, well educated leaders should govern in the people’s interest • US should be chiefly agricultural

  4. Thomas Jefferson: Hypocrite? • Was TJ a hypocrite or a man of his times? • Hypocrite: Author of Declaration of Independence who owned slaves, had children with them? • Man of times: other VA people of his social class had slaves, VA economy wouldn’t work without slavery Contemporary painting

  5. President Jefferson: Do As I say… • Activist president • Although an Anti-Federalist, once in power he became advocate for looser interp. Of Constitution • Greatly expanded power of presidency at expense of Congress • Politician – walked to own inauguration to show connection w/ common man Banner, 1801 Jefferson Inauguration (“T. Jefferson President of the United States of America/John Adams is no more.“)

  6. Jefferson: Foreign Affairs • Barbary Pirates • North African Muslim states preyed upon European, US shipping in Mediterranean • Demanded huge bribes not to attack (up to 20% of budget!) • First Barbary War (1801-05) • US Navy (6 frigates, built 1794), Marines attacked Tripoli • NO congressional authority for attack • Pirates backed off (until 1815) Map, Barbary Coast – c. 1800

  7. Jefferson: Louisiana Purchase • Louisiana Purchase • LA becomes French possession • New Orleans key to opening middle of continent up to exploration, trade, W migration (3/8 of US trade out of N.O.) • Napoleon’s American Empire idea dashed • Nap. needed cash (“Damn sugar! Damn tobacco! Damn Western Hemisphere!”) Toussaint L’Ouverture, Haiti

  8. Jefferson: Louisiana Purchase • US negotiators offer $10 million for Florida, New Orleans • French counter offer: $15 million for entire LA area • French rationale: better US than British control over area! • Negotiators, to Jefferson: What do we do?!

  9. Jefferson: Louisiana Purchase • Jefferson’s dilemma • No constitutional authority • No congressional approval • Federalist opposition to him • Jefferson: DO IT ANYWAY!! • LA Purchase • $0.03 per acre • Didn’t even know how big area was!

  10. Jefferson: Louisiana Purchase • Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-06) • Jefferson: what did we just buy? • Wild, untamed land, claimed by British, Spanish, etc • Goals • Scientific discovery • Open access to Asian markets from W Coast • Fur trade increase • Est. US military presence W of Mississippi

  11. Jefferson: Domestic Affairs • Sedition Act repealed; Jefferson pardoned all convicted under Act • Challenged Adams’ “midnight judges” in Supreme Court • After 1800 election, Federalist Congress greatly expanded judicial branch • In last few days of term, Adams appointed many judges, including Marbury • To take office, Sec. of State had to deliver commission • Not all commissions delivered when Adams’ term ended; SoS Madison (Jefferson’s guy) never delivered Marbury’s commission Marbury (L), Madison (R)

  12. Marbury v. Madison (1803) • Marbury asked USSC to issue commission • Chief Justice John Marshall • Ruled that Marbury should have received commission • But also ruled that law giving USSC authority to order SoS to issue commission was unconstitutional • Established USSC power of judicial review John Marshall (Va, CJ 1801-35)

  13. Election of 1804 • Jefferson vs. Pinckney • Jefferson had been gaining popularity • Won a landslide over Federalist candidate Jefferson (D-R): 162 ECV (Pop vote=72.8%) Pinckney (F): 12 ECV (Pop vote=18.2%)

  14. Jefferson: 2nd Term Domestic Affairs • Burr Conspiracy • Aaron Burr, VP 1st term • Very angry at Hamilton for giving presidency to Jefferson • While VP, ran for Governor of NY; Hamilton bad mouthed him, and he lost • Burr challenged Hamilton to duel • Duel story

  15. Jefferson: 2nd Term Domestic Affairs • Burr, accused of murder, fled to West • Later resurfaces amidst rumors of raising army • Use to take LA lands from US? • Use to attack Mexican Empire? • Charged with treason in 1807, was acquitted • Became lawyer in NY

  16. Jefferson 2nd Term: Foreign affairs • British Antagonize US • Britain didn’t want US to trade with French • British also concerned about rapid growth of US Merchant Marine • Many British sailors deserted harsh conditions, joined US merchant marine • British engaged in impressment of US sailors, at will

  17. Jefferson: 2nd Term Domestic Affairs • Chesapeake-Leopard Affair (1807) • Chesapeake a 38 gun US Frigate; Leopard, a 50 gun British warship • Leopard’s captain demanded right to board, inspect Chesapeake’s crew for deserters (refused) • Leopard opened fire, killing 3 • and wounding 18 • Chesapeake surrendered • Four deserters discovered

  18. Jefferson: 2nd Term Domestic Affairs • US Reaction to Chesapeake affair • Public demanded WAR! • Jefferson opted to close US waters to British ships • Also demanded payment for damages • Requested end to British searches for deserters • A major cause of War of 1812

  19. Jefferson: 2nd Term Foreign Affairs • Orders in Council (British - 1807) • British Blockade of Continental ports • Neutrals, allies of British prohibited from trading with French • Berlin & Milan Decrees (French - 1807) • Napoleon: Neutrals, allies of French prohibited from trading with British • America was squeezed!

  20. Jefferson: 2nd Term Foreign Affairs • Jefferson response: Embargo Act (1807) • We’re not trading with ANYONE! (hoped to punish French, British) • Economically devastating to America; exports declined from $108 million in 1806 to $22 million in 1808 • Repealed 1809; replaced with Non Intercourse Act, restoring trade with all countries EXCEPT Britain, France Political Cartoon, US Newspaper: “Embargo-O grab me”

  21. Election of 1808 • Referendum on TJ’s Presidency • Madison (SoS) • Pinckney (SC) • George Clinton (VP) ran as Madison’s VP after he lost the presidential nomination • “Faithless electors” • Six NY electors voted for Clinton as Pres. • No effect on election result Result: Madison: 122 ECV / 124, 732 PV Pinckney: 47 ECV / 63,431 PV

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