Unit 2, Topic 5 Lecture Notes: Revolution of 1800

Key Concept #1: Election of Jefferson

  • Revolution of 1800

    • Thomas Jefferson, Vice President from the Democratic-Republican Party, defeated the incumbent President John Adams from the Federalist Party.

    • Recognized as a realigning election that initiated a generation of Democratic-Republican governance.

    • The Federalists lost both their Congressional majority and the presidency.

    • The peaceful transfer of power between these rival parties helped solidify trust in the political system of the United States.

  • Election Results

    • Jefferson and Aaron Burr each received 73 electoral votes, while John Adams received only 65 votes.

    • Due to the tie, the Electoral College conducted 35 ballots without resolution, with Federalists attempting to block Jefferson's election.

    • Ultimately, Alexander Hamilton, although an enemy of Jefferson, supported him, stating, "Aaron Burr is the most unfit man in the United States for the office of the Presidency."

  • Historical Significance

    • Historians have noted that if slaves had not been counted for congressional apportionment, Adams might have won the electoral vote.

    • This election led to the passage of the 12th Amendment, which mandates that:

    • A candidate must receive a majority of electoral votes to be elected vice president by the Electoral College.

    • If no candidate receives a majority, the Senate elects the vice president with each senator casting one vote.

  • Aaron Burr

    • Served as Jefferson's running mate and later became Vice President.

    • Burr became infamous after killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804, which resulted from longstanding personal conflicts, including Burr’s character being defamed during elections.

    • The duel occurred as the practice was beginning to be outlawed in northern states, affecting Burr's political career.

    • After the duel, Burr faced murder charges but was acquitted or had the charges dismissed.

Key Concept #2: Corps of Discovery

  • Gabriel’s Rebellion

    • A conspiracy in 1800 by enslaved African men, led by Gabriel, aimed to attack Richmond and abolish slavery in Virginia.

    • The plan was thwarted, but it remains a critical event in the history of North American slavery.

    • Gabriel’s plan accounted for an army of about 1,000 slaves; however, bad weather hindered their efforts.

    • Following discovery of the plot, Governor James Monroe ordered the militia, resulting in the arrest and hanging of Gabriel and about 34 conspirators.

  • The Haitian Revolution

    • Began in 1791, when enslaved people in Saint-Domingue revolted against French colonial rule.

    • Key figure: Toussaint Louverture, an escaped slave who formed an army from rebellious slaves.

    • In response to the revolt, many French residents fled to the U.S.

    • Napoleon attempted to regain control by sending an invasion force; however, after Louverture's death, Haitian forces eventually declared independence in 1804.

    • The aftermath included a massacre of the remaining French population, brutal revenge for previous oppression, resulting in over 5,000 deaths.

  • Louisiana Purchase (1803)

    • Resulted from the fallout of the Haitian Revolution; Napoleon offered the territory to the United States for $15 million due to financial strains from warfare.

    • Importance: The port of New Orleans and the Mississippi River were critical for American commerce.

    • Jefferson attempted to negotiate for New Orleans with a budget of $10 million but accepted the full territory offer.

    • This purchase raised constitutional questions for Jefferson, a strict constructionist.

    • Nonetheless, Jefferson adopted a broader interpretation to proceed with the acquisition.

  • Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)

    • Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the new Louisiana Territory.

    • Goals included mapping the area, establishing trade relationships with Native tribes, and locating a route to the Pacific Ocean.

    • The expedition provided detailed maps, insights into native populations, and improved knowledge about the flora and fauna of the region.

    • They encountered various challenges but ultimately returned in September 1806, having advanced American territorial claims westward.

Key Concept #3: The Marshall Court

  • Judiciary Act of 1801

    • Created 16 new judgeships filled by outgoing President John Adams in a last-minute push before leaving office, known as the "midnight judges."

  • Chief Justice John Marshall

    • Served from 1801 to 1835, significantly shaping United States constitutional law despite limited formal education.

  • Marbury v. Madison (1803)

    • Established the principle of judicial review, affirming that the Supreme Court holds the final authority in determining the constitutionality of laws.

  • Fletcher v. Peck (1810)

    • Extended judicial review to state laws, setting a precedent for federal oversight.

  • Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

    • Supreme Court ruling underscored Congress's exclusive authority to regulate interstate commerce, invalidating state laws that interfered with this power.

Key Concept #4: British Impressment and War of 1812

  • Impressment

    • A practice where Britain forcibly drafted American sailors into their navy upon seizing their vessels at sea.

    • Between 1802 and 1811, approximately 8,000 American sailors were subjected to impressment.

  • Chesapeake Incident (June 1807)

    • A British warship's unauthorized boarding of the U.S. naval frigate Chesapeake led to conflict, resulting in the death of three Americans.

  • Embargo Act of 1807

    • Implemented by Jefferson, prohibiting exports to other nations to pressure Britain and maintain American neutrality.

    • The embargo negatively impacted the U.S. economy, reducing GDP by 5%, leading Congress to eventually lift it in 1809.

    • Reintroduced in 1812 under President Madison due to ongoing tensions with Britain.