Jefferson Alters Nations Course

Burr-Hamilton Duel

Jefferson the President

• Jefferson tried to lower cost of running the government by cutting expenses wherever possible

• He relaxed trade laws and encouraged an open-market economy called laissez-faire

The Midnight Judges

• Federalists dominated influence over the federal court system

• On John Adams’ last day, he pushed through congress the creation of 16 new federal court positions

• He filled most of these seats with Federalists

Marbury v. Madison

• William Marbury was one of the Midnight Judges but did not receive his confirmation papers

• Vice-President James Madison refused his confirmation

• Marbury went to the Supreme Court to get them to enforce his appointment

Marbury v. Madison

• This is important because this is the first time judicial review is used by the Supreme Court

The Louisiana Purchase

• Napoleon wanted to sell the Louisiana Territory in order to help finance wars in Europe

• He sold the territory for $15 million

The Louisiana Purchase

• Jefferson questioned whether the constitution allowed a President to purchase land

• The Senate approved the purchase and America more than doubled in size

Lewis and Clark

• 1803, Jefferson appointed Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead an expedition called the Corps of Discovery

• The Corps would explore from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean

Lewis and Clark

• Along the way, the Corps added Sacagawea to serve as their guide and interpreter

• The expedition lasted more than two years

• It gathered invaluable information about the western territories