Revolution of 1800?

VS

Because of a tie between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, the House of Representatives had to decide the winner…

Meanwhile…

John Adams and Federalist Congress attempt to keep Federalist power at least in the Judicial Branch by:

*passing the Judiciary Act of 1801

*Adams making “midnight appointments”

The most important “midnight judge”

D-R accused Federalist that they were trying to “pack” the judicial branch for life!

Jefferson’s Inaugural speech:

"We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."

-- Sought to bring in moderate Federalists into broad Republican coalition (but excluding Hamilton & his "High Federalist" followers). --Pledged "honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none."

Jefferson’s Presidency:

• Established rule of sending a clerk to read presidential messages (e.g. annual message)

• Established rule of small dinners with seating without rank (pell mell)       

• Often received callers in sloppy attire; aristocrats shocked Jefferson shook hands with guests.

• Reduced the number and grandeur of formal balls,levees, and dinners.

• Rode on horseback about the Capital instead of using a carriage.

Jefferson as a Democratic Republican:

•Pardoned the 10 "martyrs" serving sentences under the Sedition Law

•Government returned many fines.

•Enacted new Naturalization Law in 1802; return of 5 year requirement for citizenship

•Alien and Sedition Laws had expired in 1801; parts that were still in effect were removed.

•Persuaded Congress to repeal Hamilton’s excise taxes

•Succeeded in substantially reducing the national debt while balancing the budget by cutting government spending. "The government that governs least, governs best."

*Sec. of Treasury Albert Gallatin, "Watchdog of the Treasury" agreed with Jefferson that the debt was more a curse than a blessing. ---Debt fell from $80 million to $57 including the Louisiana Purchase.

*Ended the graduated property tax imposed by "High Federalists" in 1798.

*Reduced Hamilton’s standing army but upheld need for stronger navy.

*Emphasized states’ rights

*Encouraged development of an agrarian nation

Jefferson as a Federalist:

•Kept most public servants from the Federalist administration •Kept the Hamiltonian system intact with the exception of excise taxes    *Maintained the Bank of the U.S.         *Retained the mildly protective tariff        *Did not tamper with Federalist programs

for funding national debt at par and assuming Revolutionary War debts of the states.

•Made Louisiana Purchase without the authorization of the Constitution

Problems/Issues Affecting Jefferson’s Presidency:

•Judicial Act of 1801 - passed under Adams, it expanded the size of the Judicial Branch

*repealed by Republican Congress in 1802 (despite this judicial appointments stayed!)

John Marshall and Marbury v. Madison (1803)*John Marshall appointed by Adams as Chief Justice

would continue to hand down federalist decisions for next 34 years!

*Marbury v. Madison - Marbury sues Secretary of State Madison for failing to deliver his commission (instructed to do so by Jefferson)

OUTCOME:Judiciary Act of 1789 = unconstitutional!Marbury does not get the job!Supreme court receives the power of judicial review!

Jefferson Continues his fight against Supreme Court:

*attempts to remove highly partisan Federalist judge Samuel Chase by impeachment

*despite D-R majority, the Senate fails to impeach Chase

Why is this important?

The Tripolitan War

*pirates on the North African coast plundering US merchant ships

*Jefferson sends Stephen Decatur with a small navy

*fighting lasts 4 years until Treaty of Tripoli is signed in 1805

*Jefferson orders the building of small war ships (“mosquito fleet”) (later proved useless in War of 1812)

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

“I am perfectly aware of what Louisiana is worth, yet I will cede it to the United States.”

I do not want to yield just New-Orleans to you, but the whole of Louisiana. I will accept whatever price you offer

Louisiana Purchase a problem:

*the Constitution did not authorize the President to negotiate treaties incorporating huge new expanses of land into the union.

*Tried to pass an amendment allowing him to make such purchase but was advised that Napoleon could change his mind

*submits the treaty to Senate (land hungry Americans accept it)

*the only opposition comes from Federalists who argued the Constitution did not grant the President the power to purchase land (Federalist use strict construction as an argument )

LOUSIANA PURCHASE-most important purchase in US History!

WHY???

Exploration of Louisiana Territory

•Selected Meriwether Lewis & William Clark to explore region(1804-1806)

•Sacajawea, a Shoshoni female, became a scout & translator when L&C reached SD for the winter; crucial in helping their expedition to succeed.

•Expedition bolstered U.S. claim to Oregon; further opened West to Indian trade & exploration.

•Zebulon M. Pike-explored the Southwestern part of US                           

Exploration of Louisiana Territory

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More problems at home

•Essex Junto (1804) – small group of Federalists threatening secession (plotters court Hamilton and then Burr)

-Burr with Hamilton’s help loses New York election, resulting in the Hamilton-Burr duel

•Hamilton dies

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Burr Conspiracy

•In 1806, Burr attempted to separate the western part of the U.S. from the eastern part and unite it with to-be-conquered Spanish territory west of the Louisiana Territory and perhaps in northern Mexico.

•Tried for treason but case dismissed by J. Marshall

Jefferson’s 2nd Term problems

•Franco-British War affected US shipping:

France and England passed a series of laws restricting US ships and continued to impress US sailors:

*Berlin Decree, 1806

*Order in Council, 1806

*Milan Decree, 1807

•Chesapeake-Leopard Affair (1807) was the final straw!

Jefferson is forced to act!

Passes the Embargo Act of 1807!

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Embargo Act

Effects of Embargo

Effects of Embargo?

1.

2.

3.

4.

-repealed by the Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 (2 days before Jefferson left office)!

Election of 1808 would focus only on the Embargo issue and impressment….

Election of 1808

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LEGACY of JEFFERSON?

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Exploration of Louisiana Territory

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