6.3 - The Age of Jefferson

MRS.TWOMEY 24-25

The Election of 1800

Thomas Jefferson Won, shows political power can change without violence between parties (Precedent), flawed electoral system due to a tie with Aaron Burr, who became VP, leads to 12th Amendment

Thomas Jefferson - Party, Policies

Democratic - Republican

FOREIGN - purchased Louisiana Territory from France, Enforced the Embargo Act (1807)

DOMESTIC - Reduce size of military and government, cut taxes, aiming for smaller federal government

Thomas Jefferson - Accomplishments / Failures

ACCOMPLISHED - Doubled the USA territory with the Louisiana Purchase, brought national debt down, let the Alien & Sedition Acts expire and didn’t renew them.

FAILURES - The Embargo Act (economically damaging, unpopular), Contradicting opinions with Louisiana Purchase

Louisiana Territory

Mississippi River to Rocky Mountains

Louisiana Purchase

1803 - Jefferson buys from France (doubles size of nation) for $15 Million. Controversial because constitution doesn’t state whether or not USA can buy land from another country, contradicts Jefferson (pres) beliefs.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Explore Louisiana territory , led by Sacajawea, have to map it.

Judicial Review

Courts can examine/invalidate actions/laws that are inconsistent with the constitution.

Marbury vs. Madison

Judiciary Act = unconstitutional cus more powers given to courts than stated in constitution. Marbury (a judge appointed by the outgoing Adams office) was ruled to not be in favor. Established judicial review, solidify judiciary role in the government, supreme court is able to squash down unconstitutional laws,

Barbary War

USA vs. BARBARY STATES (Tripoli, Morocco, Algiers, Tunis). Tripoli Pirates were attacking USA merchant ships, Tripoli demands money for them back, USA says no, sends troops and blocks their ports. USA wins, shows the willingness of USA to use authority and power to protect USA citizens.

Impressments

Forcing men into naval services, major reason for beef between USA and Britain. “you were born in England, so you are apart of our Navy and you need to serve the king/queen” even if not born in England (at the time)

Re-Export Trade

USA avoiding tariffs by shipping goods to foreign countries from one foreign nation to another. Allows merchants to profit from restrictions imposed by European powers. VERY BENEFICIAL FOR USA. Economy BOOMS.

US Chesapeake

British warship, HMS Leopard, attacks American Warship USS Chesapeake. Enrages American citizens, flames anti-british in USA.

Embargo of 1807

USA Bans ALL ships from trading with foreign affairs by aiming to pressure BRITAIN/FRANCE to respect USA neutrality. Jefferson imposed this to try and avoid war, pressure Britain and France to not interfere with USA ships and to stop impressments. It was against Britain/France, affected US Merchants (but caused great economic downfall). Caused a spike in dislike for Jeffersons presidency, leading to him becoming unpopular.