Jefferson’s Presidency and Jeffersonian Democracy

Jefferson’s Presidency and Jeffersonian Democracy APUSH – Mr. Hesen

Jefferson as President • Inaugural speech: • “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists” • Sought to bring moderates into a Republican coalition • Vowed to maintain Washington’s “non-entanglement” vision

Jefferson as President • Economic Plans • Kept Hamilton’s plans • Wanted to heal the political rift between parties • Maintained Bank of U.S. • Retained the tariff • Didn’t tamper with any major Federalist programs

Jefferson as President • Changes: • Pardoned many imprisoned under Sedition Act • Congress enacted new naturalization laws – returned to five years • Persuaded Congress to repeal excise taxes • Substantially reduced the national debt

Jefferson as President • 12th Amendment (1804) • Tied vote between presidential candidates of the same party could no longer causes confusion • Provisions: Electors had to specify that they were voting for one presidential candidate and one VP

John Marshall and the SCUS • Judiciary Act of 1801 • One of the last important laws passed by the outgoing Federalist administration • Federalists created 16 new judgeships • Adams appointed these judges on his last day (Midnight Judges) • Jeffersonians charged the Federalists with packing the judicial branch

*******Marbury v. Madison (1803) • One of the most important SCUS decisions • “Midnight Judge” William Marbury sued for the delivery of his commission • Being held up by the Sec. of State (James Madison) • TJ told Madison to hold the commission • Marshall dismissed the case – did not want to have showdown with president

Judicial Review • Marshall ruled that Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional • Gave courts power to enforce the law – president is the only enforcer • Marshall gave Supreme Court power to rule a law by Congress unconstitutional

Impeachment of Samuel Chase Jefferson Threatens the SCUS • Jefferson enraged (again…) that SCUS was strengthened by judicial review • Congressional Republicans wanted to oust Samuel Chase • Could not get enough votes in Senate to move forward • Henceforth no more attempts to reshape the SCUS – enforced separation of powers

Tripolitan War, 1801-05 Attack on U.S. ships by pirates from North African states forces TJ’s hand • Stephen Decatur led U.S. Navy on to Tripoli • First war outside of the U.S. • Dey of Algiers • Strengthened navy – development of the “Mosquito Fleet”

The Louisiana Purchase • Napoleon (France) persuaded Spain to cede Louisiana region to France • France had to sell territory to pay back revolution debts

The Louisiana Purchase • Louisiana Territory cost the U.S. $15 million…3 cents/acre • Jefferson reluctant to sign treaty • President didn’t have power to negotiate land acquisitions • Westward looking Americans supported the treaty • Federalists did not approve

Most important land acquisition in history • Doubled size of the U.S. • Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico • Paved way for westward expansion • Accelerated the rise of U.S. as economic power • Ended European expansion in North America • Avoided war with France • Rise in nationalism

Jefferson interested in water route to Pacific • Meriwether Lewis and William Clark • Corps of Discovery • Trail extended from Missouri River through Rocky Mountains • Aided by Sacajawea (Shoshone) who worked as their translator and envoy • Jefferson disappointed that route was not found

Essex Junto Aaron Burr started problems • Pushed for New England secession • Essex Junto – small group of extremist Federalists who wanted to secede from U.S. • Felt New England was being ignored by Republicans – hated Jefferson • Hamilton exposed plot • Burr killed Hamilton in a duel (1804)

Burr Conspiracy • More problems for Burr • 1806 – tried to persuade western Americans to secede from U.S. • Plot was uncovered and Burr arrested • Chief Justice Marshall dropped the case – two witnesses were never found • Burr went into hiding and became a recluse

Yazoo Land Scandal - Alleged illegal land transactions in Georgia • Jefferson’s cousin accused him of participating • Georgia wrongfully sold land and then turned it over to govt. • Jefferson and Madison tried to repay the landowners, but the damage was done • Created strife in Republican party and weakened Jefferson during second term

Embargo Act of 1807 • Needed to punish British for impressment of U.S. sailors • May NOT export to any foreign destination • TJ thought that the Act would make France and Britain respect U.S. • Enforced Congress’ powers to regulate commerce – loose interpretation of Con. • Undermined states’ rights

Embargo of 1807 • Terrible failure to U.S. economy • New England was affected the most • U.S. exports: • 1807 - $108 million • 1808 - $22 million • More damaging that British and French threats • Illegal trade began to sprout all over the place

Embargo Act of 1807 • Congress repealed the Act in March 1809 • Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 • Reopened trade with all nations except Britain and France • Remained U.S. policy until War of 1812

Reasons for Embargo Failure • British didn’t need U.S. goods • Wasn’t enforced long enough • Worsened conflict between Britain and France • Undermined by smuggling and illegal acts • Inadvertently began the Industrial Revolution in the U.S. • New England became self-sufficient • Textile factories grew all over the region

Jefferson’s Legacy • Total defeat of the Federalists by Election of 1816 • Expansion was TJ’s prime goal! • Creation of a democratic, non-aristocratic govt. • Kept the U.S. out a European conflict

Jefferson’s Presidency and Jeffersonian Democracy