The Rise of Political Parties

• Despite George Washington’s warning against political parties, two main parties emerged:

  • Federalists (led by Alexander Hamilton)

    • Advocated for a strong central government

    • Supported loose interpretation of the Constitution

    • Favored Britain in foreign affairs

    • Backed a national bank and manufacturing-based economy

  • Democratic-Republicans (led by Thomas Jefferson)

    • Favored states’ rights and limited federal power

    • Advocated for a strict interpretation of the Constitution

    • Supported France in foreign affairs

    • Focused on an agrarian society

The Election of 1800: A Peaceful Transition of Power

• John Adams (Federalist) vs. Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)

• Key issues:

  • Federalists lost popularity due to the Alien and Sedition Acts and new taxes

  • Democratic-Republicans opposed the expansion of federal power

• Election results:

  • Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied in the Electoral College (both Democratic-Republicans)

  • House of Representatives decided the election

  • Alexander Hamilton influenced Federalists to support Jefferson over Burr

  • Jefferson won; Federalists peacefully transferred power, marking the "Revolution of 1800"

  • Significance: First peaceful transfer of power between political parties in U.S. history

Jefferson’s Presidency (1801-1809)

• Aimed to reduce federal government influence

  • Kept Hamilton’s financial plan (national bank, debt repayment)

  • Maintained neutrality in foreign policy

  • Cut the size of the military and federal bureaucracy

  • Eliminated the whiskey tax and reduced the national debt

  • Appointed only Democratic-Republicans to his cabinet

The Barbary Wars (1801-1805)

• Jefferson refused to continue paying tribute to the Barbary States (North African pirate states) for safe passage in the Mediterranean, leading Tripoli to declare war on the U.S..

• The war ended in 1805 with a treaty that reduced, but didn’t eliminate, tribute payments, marking the first U.S. military conflict abroad and establishing U.S. naval power.

The Louisiana Purchase (1803)

• Background:

  • Louisiana Territory originally owned by France, transferred to Spain, and back to France (1800)

  • Napoleon planned to rebuild the French empire in North America

  • Obstacles for France:

    • War with Britain

    • Revolt in Santo Domingo (Haiti) led by Toussaint Louverture

• U.S. interest in the Mississippi River:

  • Western settlers relied on the Mississippi River and Port of New Orleans for trade

  • Spain revoked American trading rights (Pinckney Treaty, 1795) in New Orleans

  • Jefferson sought to purchase New Orleans for $10 million

• The Deal:

  • Napoleon offered the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million

  • U.S. accepted, doubling the nation's size

• Constitutional Debate:

  • No clause in the Constitution explicitly allowed the purchase of foreign land

  • Jefferson used presidential treaty-making powers to justify the purchase

• Consequences:

  • Doubled U.S. territory

  • Removed European presence from the Mississippi River

  • Strengthened Jefferson’s vision of an agrarian society

  • Weakened the Federalists, who opposed the purchase

The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)

• Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory

• Goals:

  • Map the territory and establish relations with Native American tribes

  • Document geographic and scientific information

  • Find a possible water route to the Pacific

• Results:

  • Strengthened U.S. claims to the Oregon Territory

  • Provided detailed maps and land routes for future settlement

Judicial Impeachments and John Marshall’s Supreme Court

• Jefferson’s Attempt to Remove Federalist Judges:

  • Alien and Sedition Acts repealed

  • Launched impeachment campaigns against Federalist judges

  • Only one federal judge removed, failed attempt at Supreme Court level

• Chief Justice John Marshall (1801-1835)

  • Federalist judge, strengthened the power of the federal government

  • Decisions often supported property rights over states’ rights

• Key Supreme Court Cases:

  • Marbury v. Madison (1803)

    • Established judicial review (Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional)

  • Fletcher v. Peck (1810)

    • First Supreme Court case to declare a state law unconstitutional

  • McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

    • Established implied powers of the federal government

    • States cannot tax federal institutions

  • Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

    • States cannot interfere with private contracts

  • Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

    • Federal government controls interstate commerce

Aaron Burr and Political Conspiracies

• Burr’s Political Downfall:

  • Democratic-Republican leaders did not renominate Burr as vice president (1804)

• Federalist Conspiracy:

  • Secretly plotted with New England Federalists to secede from the U.S.

  • Plan collapsed after Burr lost the New York governor’s race

• Duel with Alexander Hamilton (1804):

  • Burr killed Hamilton, Federalists lost their key leader

• Burr’s Treason Trial (1806):

  • Planned to take Mexico from Spain and possibly rule Louisiana

  • Arrested for treason, but acquitted by John Marshall

Flashcards are a study aid that consists of cards bearing information on both sides, which can be used to test knowledge or reinforce learning. Key features include:

• Term and Definition: One side typically has a term (e.g., a word or concept) while the other provides its definition or explanation.

• Active Recall: This technique encourages active retrieval of information, enhancing memory retention.

• Versatility: Flashcards can be created for almost any subject, including vocabulary, historical events, scientific concepts, and more.

• Digital Options: Many apps and websites allow users to create virtual flashcards, making them accessible and shareable.

• Study Techniques: They can be used in various study methods such as spaced repetition, where cards are reviewed at increasing intervals to improve retention.

Overall, flashcards serve as an effective tool for learning and revision.