THE JEFFERSON ERA

CHAPTER 10

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

HOW DID THE EVENTS OF THE JEFFERSON ERA STRENGTHEN THE NATION?

Chapter 10-1

JEFFERSON TAKES OFFICE

A New Party Comes to Power

Election of 1800Federalists : Pres. John AdamsDemocratic-Republicans: Thomas

JeffersonEach thought the other side was a

threat to Constitution & America

Democratic-Republicans Won

Jefferson 73 electoral votes VS Adams 65 votes

BUTAaron Burr – VP also got 73 votes!!

House of Reps had to choose between the two!

BREAKING THE TIE

From Feb. 11 to Feb. 17 the House had 35 votes – undecided still! (The House was still mainly Federalists)

Finally Alexander Hamilton convinced some House to vote Jefferson

On the 36th vote Jefferson was elected President!! And Aaron Burr the VP

JEFFERSON & DEMOCRACY

Many talents beyond politics... Violinist Amateur Scientist Devoted Reader

Book Collection – Library of Congress Interest in Architecture – Ancient Greek &

Rome Nation’s Capital architecture

HUMBLE – no coach on Inauguration Day – just strolled thru Washington DC

Jefferson’s Government View

First – wanted to heal political wounds – urged political enemies to unite as Americans!

Promoted a COMMON WAY OF LIFE Nation of small independent farmers Uphold strong morals & democratic ideals Much land available Prevent overcrowding in cities (Europe

Avoid too much government – central gov’t limited power – people govern selves

JEFFERSON & FEDERALISTS

Reduced number of government employeesReduced size of militaryEnded Federalist Programs

Alien & Sedition Act – released prisonersEnded Whisky TaxReduced public debt – used revenues from

tariffs & land sales to pay back citizens

CONFLICT with the COURTS

Judiciary Act of 1801 – Adams appointed Federalist judges between election of Jefferson and his inauguration

Judges appointed for life – Jefferson had a Federalist controlled court

Chief Justice John Marshall – Supreme Court upheld federal authority

MARBURY vs. MADISON (1803)

UPHELD POWER of JUDICIAL REVIEW

Created a lasting balance among 3 branches

Supreme Court decided Congress passed invalid Judiciary Act – it gave new power to Supreme Court – Constitution not allow that!

1st time Congress law found unConstitutional

“If the Constitution is to be supreme law of land, then any law contrary to Constitution is not law!”