AMSCO Chapter Summary #7 The Age of Jefferson, 1800-1816

Jefferson

Maintained national bank and debt repayment to satisfy
the Federalists
Remained neutral in foreign affairs
Limited central government appealed to Republicans
Reduced the size of the military
Eliminated a number of Federal jobs
Repealed excise taxes
Lowered the national debt

Louisiana Purchase

The Port of New Orleans was part of this territory
Napoleon lost interest in the territory because he
needed to focus on fighting Britain and had suffered
heavy French losses in a rebellion in Santo Domingo
Jefferson sent American ministers to offer $10 Million
for New Orleans
Napoleon offered entire Louisiana Territory for $15
Million
Jefferson was committed to strict interpretation of the Constitution, determined the purchase
was applicable under the power to make treaties
Doubled the size of United States
Removed foreign presence from the Nations borders
Guaranteed extension of the western frontier
Furthered Jefferson's hopes for an agrarian society
Showed Federalists to be weak

Lewis and Clark Expeditions

Increased geographic and scientific knowledge of unexplored territory
Improved relations with Native Americans
Developed maps and land routes for settlers and fur traders

John Marshall

Federalist judges still in control of Supreme Court
Appointed during John Adam's presidency
Made decisions to strengthen government

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

o "Midnight Appointments" made by John Adams
o William Marbury sued for his commission
o Ruled that he had a right to his commission (Judiciary Act of
1789) but the law is unconstitutional
o Established Judicial Review (Supreme Court decides what is constitutional)

1804: Jefferson Reelected - Landslide

All but 14 electoral votes (Connecticut, Delaware, and two electors from Maryland)

Challenges to U.S. neutrality

o Napoleonic Wars in Europe
o French and British Naval Blockades of enemy ports
o Impressing of U.S. sailors by British Navy
o Chesapeake Leopard Affair-British warship fired on American warship

Embargo Act of 1807

o Prohibited American Merchant ships from sailing to any foreign port
o Backfired and brought economic hardship to the U.S

Madison's Presidency (Republican)

Weak public speaker
Stubborn
Excellent statesman
Defeated Pinckney
Federalists gained seats in Congress because of discontent
with Embargo
Resorted to war

Neutrality

Nonintercourse Act of 1809-Could now trade with all nations except France and Britain
Macon's Bill No. 2 (1810)-Promised to prohibit trade with the foe of Britain or France if they
formally agreed to respect U.S. Neutrality rights
Napoleon's Deception-promised to respect neutral rights, Madison embargoed trade with
Britain, France did not fulfill promise

The War of 1812

British violations at sea were more blatant that those by France
Battle of Tippecanoe -Britain had given aid to Tecumseh to start a rebellion
War Hawks-young Republicans (Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun) argued that war was the only
way to destroy Native American resistance and gain Canadian lands

Divided Nation

Northern states voted against war
Republicans in the South defeated Antiwar Republicans and Federalists
New England Merchants, Federalists, and Quids (Old Republicans) opposed

Military

Invasion of Canada was easily defeated by Britain
British succeeded in establishing a blockade off the coast
Chesapeake Campaign
o Britain defeated Napoleon and were able to send more troops to America
o Britain set fire to Capitol, White House, and other government buildings
Southern Campaign
o General Andrew Jackson eliminated the power of the British Ally, the Creek
o Opened land to white settlers

The Treaty of Ghent (1814)

Recognition of the prewar boundary between the U.S. and Canada

Battle of New Orleans (1815)

Andrew Jackson destroyed a British army that attacked his fortified position after the Treaty of
Ghent was signed. The victory gave Americans a needed decisive victory - elevated Andrew
Jackson as a hero.

The Hartford Convention

New Englanders considered secession
Special convention was held in 1814
Called for a number of proposals including 2/3 majority for future declarations of war
Stamped the Federalists as unpatriotic

The War's Legacy

Demise of Federalist Party
Americans took bigger steps towards self-sufficiency due to blockades
Stronger feelings of nationalism