Unit 4.1 and 4.2
4.1 The “Revolution of 1800”
General
By 1800, the Federalist Party was split, clearing the way to the presidency for the Democratic-Republicans
Two men ran for the party nomination: Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr
Election Results
Each received an equal number of votes in the Electoral College, which meant that the Federalist-dominated House of Representatives was required to choose a president from between the two
It took 35 ballots, but Jefferson finally won
Alexander Hamilton swallowed hard and campaigned for Jefferson, with whom he disagreed on most issues and whom he personally disliked, because he believed Burr to be “a most unfit and dangerous man.”
Burr later proved Hamilton right by killing him.
Noteworthy Reasons
The election was noteworthy for two reasons
For the second time in as many elections, a president was saddled with a vice president he did not want.
The other, more important reason the election was significant is that in America’s first transfer of power—from the Federalists to the Democratic-Republicans—no violence occurred, a feat practically unprecedented for the time.
Change-over
Jefferson referred to his victory and the subsequent change-over as “the bloodless revolution.”
The problem of the president being saddled with a vice president he did not want was remedied in 1804 with the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution, which allowed electors to vote for a party ticket.
The Jeffersonian Republic (1800– 1823)
Jefferson’s First Term
General
The transition of power from the Federalists to the Democratic-Republicans may have been a bloodless one, but it was not a friendly one
Adams was so upset about the election that he left the capital before Jefferson took office in order to avoid attending the inauguration ceremony
Midnight Appointments
Before he left town, Adams made a number of midnight appointments, filling as many government positions with Federalists as he could
Jefferson’s response was to refuse to recognize those appointments
He then set about replacing as many Federalist appointees as he could. He dismissed some, pressured others to retire, and waited out the rest
By his second term, the majority of public appointees were Democratic-Republicans
Marbury v. Madison
Jefferson’s refusal to accept Adams’s midnight appointments resulted in a number of lawsuits against the government
One, the case of Marbury v. Madison reached the Supreme Court in 1803
William Marbury, one of Adams’s last-minute appointees, had sued Secretary of State James Madison for refusing to certify his appointment to the federal bench
Chief Justice John Marshall was a Federalist, and his sympathies were with Marbury, but Marshall was not certain that the court could force Jefferson to accept Marbury’s appointment
Marshall’s decision in the case established one of the most important principles of the Supreme Court: judicial review
The court ruled that Marbury did indeed have a right to his judgeship but that the court could not enforce his right.
Judicial Review
The Judiciary Act of 1789 gave the Supreme Court the authority to order federal appointees (such as Madison) to deliver appointments such as William Marbury’s
Marshall believed that this act gave too much power to the Judicial Branch at the expense of Congress and the Presidency, and thus it was unconstitutional
In one fell swoop, Marshall had handed Jefferson the victory he wanted while simultaneously claiming a major role for the Supreme Court
Louisiana Purchase
The major accomplishment of Jefferson’s first term was the Louisiana Purchase
When Spain gave New Orleans to the French in 1802, the government realized that a potentially troublesome situation was developing
The French, they knew, were more likely to take advantage of New Orleans’ strategic location at the mouth of the Mississippi
General
Thomas Jefferson faced with a dilemma with regards to the Constitution and the power of the federal government
as secretary of state under Washington, he had argued for a strict interpretation of the Constitution
Dilemma
Nowhere did the Constitution authorize the president to purchase land, yet clearly Jefferson could not pass up this opportunity to double the size of the United States
Jefferson thought about trying to get a constitutional amendment added allowing him to buy land from other countries
Ultimately, Jefferson resolved the issue by claiming his presidential power to negotiate treaties with foreign nations
Louisiana Purchase
His decision to purchase Louisiana without Congressional approval was not unanimously applauded
New England Federalists opposed the Louisiana Purchase because they feared (correctly) that more western states would be more Democratic states, and that they would lose political power.
They formed a group called the Essex Junto, planning to secede from the United States (and asked Aaron Burr to be their leader), but the plan never fully materialized
Some Republicans, led by John Randolph of Virginia, criticized Jefferson for violating Republican principles. This group became known as the Quids
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Jefferson sent explorers, among them Lewis and Clark, to investigate the western territories, including much of what was included in the Louisiana territory
This trip included Sacajawea as the Shoshoni guide who helped Lewis and Clark negotiate with other Native American tribes on the way up the Missouri River
All returned with favorable reports, causing many pioneers to turn their attentions westward in search of land, riches, and economic opportunities
Those early explorers also reported back to Jefferson on the presence of British and French forts that still dotted the territory, garrisoned with foreign troops that had been (deliberately?) slow to withdraw after the regime changes of the previous half-century
Election of 1804
In 1804, Jefferson won reelection in a landslide victory
During the 1804 elections, Aaron Burr ran for governor of New York
Again, Alexander Hamilton campaigned against Burr
When Burr lost, he accused Hamilton of sabotaging his political career and challenged him to a duel in which he killed Hamilton
Afterward, Burr fled to the Southwest, where he plotted to start his own nation in parts of the Louisiana Territory. He was later captured and tried for treason but was acquitted due to lack of evidence
Jefferson’s Second Term
French-English dispute leads to War of 1812
British and French blockading trade routes
American ships and sailors impressed by British
Tensions mount, culminating in British frigate attack on American ship in American waters
Jefferson unable to go to war, responds with boycott and increasing military appropriations
Embargo Act of 1807
Shut down of American import and export business
Disastrous economic results, especially in New England
Smuggling becomes widespread
New England states strongly opposed
Led to loss of Democratic Republican Congressional seats in 1808 elections
Non-Intercourse Act of 1809
Reopened trade with most nations
Officially banned trade with Britain and France
Jefferson chooses not to seek third term, endorses James Madison for presidency
4.2 Madison’s Presidency and the War of 1812
Macon's Bill No. 2
Reopened trade with both France and England
If either country interfered with American trade, the other would be cut off
Napoleon promised to stop interference, leading to embargo on England
France continued to harass American ships
British stepped up attacks on American ships
Pro-War Sentiments
Southern and Western War Hawks saw opportunity to gain new territories
Strong desire to gain Canada from British
Led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun
Madison and the Declaration of War
Madison held out as long as he could
Finally asked Congress to declare war in 1812.
War of 1812
Native Americans aligned with British
Tecumseh unified area tribes to stop American expansion
British armed Native Americans in Western territories
American forces ill-prepared for war, fighting went badly
British captured Washington, D.C. and set White House on fire
Most battles fought to a stalemate
Treaty of Ghent signed, ending war
Battle of New Orleans, clear-cut U.S. victory
Federalists opposed war and met in Hartford Convention
War spurred American manufacturing, led to self-sufficiency
The Hartford Convention
Grievances including trade laws and presidential term limits
Federalists considered traitors, party dissolved
Madison Administration
Promoted national growth
Cautious extension of federal power
Championed protective tariffs, interstate road improvements, and rechartering of National Bank (American System/Nationalist Program)
Henry Clay lobbied aggressively for American System, often referred to as "Henry Clay's American System"
Monroe’s Presidency
Era of Good Feelings
Only one political party, briefly leaves United States with unity
Chief Justice John Marshall's rulings strengthens federal government
Panic of 1819 causes economic turmoil and nearly ends good feelings
No nationally organized political opposition results from panic
Westward Expansion
John Quincy Adams negotiated treaties to fix U.S. borders and open new territories
Acquisition of Florida from Spanish through Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819
International tensions caused by revolutions in Central and South America
Monroe Doctrine: Policy of mutual non-interference and America's right to intervene in its own hemisphere
Monroe Doctrine is first of several doctrines that will become foreign policy
Slavery Debate
New period of expansion results in national debate over slavery
Missouri is the first state carved out of Louisiana Purchase and slavery debate continues until Civil War.