Jeffersonian America (1800-1812)

Jeffersonian America (1800-1812)

Election of 1800

  • John Adams (Federalist) vs. Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican).
  • Jefferson won, marking the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties.
  • Federalists lost control of both the executive (presidency) and legislative (Congress) branches.
  • Jefferson's inaugural address: "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."

Judiciary Act of 1801 and Midnight Appointments

  • Federalists, losing power, sought to maintain control over the judicial branch.
  • The Judiciary Act of 1801 created new judicial positions.
  • John Adams filled these positions with Federalist candidates in the last days of his administration, known as the "midnight appointments."

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

  • William Marbury, a midnight appointee, sued Secretary of State James Madison for refusing to deliver his commission.
  • The Supreme Court, under Chief Justice John Marshall, ruled that part of the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional.
  • Established judicial review: the Supreme Court's power to declare federal laws unconstitutional.
  • Significance: expanded the power of the judicial branch and the federal government.

Jeffersonian Principles vs. Actions

  • Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans: strict interpretation of the Constitution, limited federal government, states' rights, and a nation of farmers.
  • Policies under Jefferson:
    • Eliminated excise taxes (e.g., whiskey tax).
    • Lowered the national debt.
    • Reduced the size of the military.
    • Pardoned those arrested under the Sedition Act.
  • However, Jefferson did not dismantle all Federalist policies:
    • Kept the Bank of the United States.
    • Did not alter Hamilton's assumption plan.
    • Used the navy against the Barbary pirates.

Louisiana Purchase

  • Background:
    • Spain ended the right of deposit in New Orleans.
    • France, under Napoleon, regained control of the Louisiana territory and sought to re-establish a French empire in North America.
  • Jefferson sent James Monroe to buy New Orleans and part of Florida for 10,000,00010,000,000.
  • Napoleon offered to sell the entire Louisiana territory for 15,000,00015,000,000.
  • Reasons for Napoleon's offer:
    • Revolution in Haiti: a slave revolt that caused issues for the French. Needed money to crush the rebellion.
    • Needed money for the Napoleonic Wars against England.
  • Jefferson's Dilemma: the Constitution did not explicitly grant the president the power to purchase foreign land.
    • Jefferson used a loose interpretation of the Constitution and the idea of implied powers to justify the purchase, arguing that the president has the power to make treaties.
  • Significance:
    • Doubled the size of the United States.
    • Supported Jefferson's vision of an agrarian society.
    • Avoided a potential threat (France) along US borders.
    • Weakened the Federalist party.
  • Lewis and Clark Expedition: scientific exploration of the Trans-Mississippi West, establishing US claims to the Oregon territory and the Pacific Coast.

Aaron Burr Conspiracy

  • Aaron Burr, former Vice President, plotted with radical Federalists to secede New England states from the Union.
  • Alexander Hamilton helped defeat Burr in the New York election.
  • Burr killed Hamilton in a duel.
  • Burr plotted to take part of Mexico from Spain and unite it with the Louisiana territory under his rule.
  • He was tried for treason but acquitted.

Foreign Policy and Neutrality

  • The Napoleonic Wars in Europe caused problems for US neutrality.
  • Impressment: The British Navy forced Americans into service.
  • France's Berlin Decree (1806): Seized ships trading with England.
  • England's Orders in Council (1806): Required ships trading with Europe to stop in England first.
  • Chesapeake-Leopard Affair (1807): The British ship Leopard attacked the American ship Chesapeake, leading to demands for war.

Embargo Act of 1807

  • Jefferson's response to the Chesapeake Incident: banned all US trade with foreign nations.
  • Impact: The US economy plummeted, especially in New England.
  • Unintended consequence: Fueled the Industrial Revolution in New England.
  • The Embargo Act was repealed just before Jefferson left office.

Non-Intercourse Act and Macon's Bill No. 2

  • Non-Intercourse Act (1809): The US could trade with all nations except France and England.
  • Macon's Bill No. 2: The US would end its embargo if either France or England respected US neutrality. France temporarily agreed, but then resumed seizing US ships.

War Hawks

  • New congressmen elected in 1810 (took office in 1811), primarily from the South and West, who advocated for war against England.
  • Key War Hawks: John C. Calhoun (South Carolina) and Henry Clay (Kentucky).
  • Reasons for war:
    • To stop British harassment of American shipping.
    • To wipe out native resistance on the frontier.
    • To acquire Canada.

Native Resistance

  • Tecumseh and The Prophet (Shawnee brothers) organized a confederacy of tribes east of the Mississippi River to resist American encroachment.
  • Battle of Tippecanoe (1811): William Henry Harrison defeated native resistance, becoming a war hero.

War of 1812

  • James Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war against England in 1812.
  • Reasons for war:
    • England's arming of natives on the frontier.
    • England's continued violations of US neutrality.
    • Pressure from War Hawks in Congress.
    • The Democratic-Republican Party favored France.