The Age of Jefferson

Jefferson’s Presidency

• felt there needed to be a smooth transition between Federalists → Dem-Reps

  • “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists“

• kept national bank, AH financial plan, and federalist policies to win trust of Feds

• maintained neutrality, limited central gov

• lowered national debt, lowered military size, repealed excise taxes

LA Purchase

• Spain controlled Louisiana territory but Napoleon (France) wanted it back and secretly restore empire in America

• Spanish closed New Orleans port, revoked right of deposit (right for Americans to use port tax-free)

• ministers were sent to France to sell New Orleans for $10 mil but they offered New Orleans + LA territory for $15 mil

• TJ was hesitant because const didn’t say they could purchase foreign land but ignored for the good of the country → boosted TJ’s popularity, federalists weakened

Lewis and Clark Expedition

• result of LA purchase but TJ wanted to fund a scientific exploration even before

• reached Oregon coast then returned

• Benefits

  • greater geographic + scientific knowledge

  • stronger US relations w/ NA

  • more accurate maps + land routs for fur trappers + future settlers

John Marshall

• Federal courts was the only power Federalists had

• held post 34 years

• strong influence, strengthened central gov @ expense of states rights

Marbury v Madison

• In Adam’s final hours as president, he appointed 16 judges (midnight judges, federalists w/ lifetime terms)

• Jefferson was supposed to deliver the commissions but didn’t do it so Marbury (one of the judges supposed to receive commission) sued Madison (TJ’s trusted person, ordered to throw letters away)

• ruled that although Marbury should’ve received the commission, the commission itself was unconstitutional

• this case established the principle of judicial review

  • court decides whether a law is constitutional or not

Judicial Impeachments by Jefferson

• suspended Alien + Sedition Acts

• TJ started impeachment campaign to get rid of Federalists (fail)

  • House + Senate impeached mentally unwell judge

Jefferson’s Second Term

• main problems

  • VP Aaron Burr plotting against him

  • troubles from Napoleonic Wars in Europe

• Aaron Burr threatened to break up Union + killed AH

  • decided not to be VP again

Barbary Pirates

• GW + John Adams paid tribute to the Barbary govs of Africa to avoid getting ships seized

• demanded higher tribute from TJ but he refused

• went to war for 4 years and didn’t win but gained respect and protection

Challenges to US neutrality

• Napoleonic Wars in Europe

• France + Britain fighting, seized ships of neutral nations

• impressment

  • capturing US sailors and forcing them to serve Brit navy b/c they claimed they wanted to reclaim Brit citizens

Embargo Act

• prohibited American ships from sailing to any foreign

• failed, brought more economic hardship to America

• TJ repealed later and instead ships can’t trade w/ Britain + France