2110.19 Chapters 9.101 History

New Frontiers: 1790-1820

Historical Overview

  • Chapters 9-10: Focuses on events from 1790 to 1820.

Political Rivalry: Aaron Burr vs. Thomas Jefferson 1800

  • Election of 1800: The first peaceful transfer of power between opposing parties in the U.S.

    • Aaron Burr (Republican) vs. Thomas Jefferson (Republican).

The Burr-Hamilton Duel

  • Date: July 11, 1804

    • Result: Hamilton mortally wounded by Burr and died next day.

    • Aaron Burr was Vice-President at the time.

Jefferson's Philosophy on Government

  • Key Quotes from Thomas Jefferson:

    • "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting..."

    • "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms..."

    • "The Government that governs best... governs least."

  • Emphasis on limited government and personal liberties.

    • Advocated that government should not interfere excessively in citizens’ lives.

A New Executive Style under Jefferson

  • Focus on simplicity and reducing extravagance:

    • Dress and Gatherings: Simple clothing preferences and smaller gatherings.

    • Military Reduction: Cut army size by one-third.

    • Tax Reforms: Abolished federal whiskey tax and various taxes.

    • Revenue Sources: Shifted focus to funding via land sales.

    • Government Size: Reduced federal workforce; only 130 employees total.

Landmark Case: Marbury v. Madison

  • Established Judicial Review: The Supreme Court could declare laws unconstitutional.

Extending U.S. Borders

The Louisiana Purchase

  • Motivated by:

    • Spanish fears and the transition of Louisiana from France to Spain and back to France.

    • Result: U.S. acquired vast territory from France for $15 million in 1803.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

  • Goals: Explore and map the new territory.

    • Establish relationships with Native American tribes.

    • Find a route to the Pacific Ocean.

  • Expedition timeline: Left St. Louis spring 1804; reached the Pacific in November 1805.

Map Overview: Jefferson's Expeditions in the West

  • Lewis and Clark's Routes: Highlighted winter quarters, return routes, and key geographic features.

The Napoleonic Wars Impact on U.S. Trade

  • Start Date: 1803, wars between France and Great Britain.

    • Resulted in both powers warning the U.S. to stop trade with their enemy.

    • Over 2,500 American sailors were impressed by the British.

  • Congressional Response: Non-importation law enacted.

Chesapeake-Leopard Incident

  • Incident leading to the Embargo of 1807:

    • Resulted in 3 American deaths, increasing tensions with Britain.

Embargo Act of 1807

  • Imposed a ban on all foreign imports, leading to economic hardship:

    • Exports halted; commerce stalled; unemployment rose.

Jefferson's Major Accomplishments

  • Political and economic reforms:

    • Lowered taxes and federal debt.

    • Reduced the size of the federal government.

    • Successfully carried out the Louisiana Purchase.

    • Founded the Corps of Discovery.

Context of James Madison's Presidency (1809-1817)

  • Overview of Madison’s contributions and challenges.

The Battle of Tippecanoe (1811)

  • Tension from land negotiations led by Governor William Henry Harrison against Tecumseh's resistance.

    • Resulted in violent conflict and destruction of Prophetstown.

War of 1812: Causes and Background

  • Factors leading to war included:

    • British impressment of American sailors.

    • Economic restrictions due to the Napoleonic Wars.

Course of the War

  • Theaters of War: American-Canadian frontier, the Atlantic, and the South Gulf Coast.

    • Notable battles: Battle of Lake Erie, Burned York, and Battle of New Orleans.

The Treaty of Ghent (1814)

  • Concluded the War of 1812:

    • No territorial changes; halted British support for Native American resistance.

Impact of the War of 1812

  • Expansion of U.S. territory.

  • Emergence of Andrew Jackson as a national hero post-Battle of New Orleans.

Postwar Expansion and The Monroe Doctrine

  • Monroe Doctrine: Asserted that the Western Hemisphere was no longer open to European colonization.

The Missouri Compromise (1820)

  • Addressed the admission of Missouri as a slave state while Maine entered as a free state.

    • Established a line (36°30') to delineate future slave and free states.

Conclusion

  • Overview of themes: Growth of the nation including territorial expansion, changes in political philosophy, and governmental structure, leading towards a more unified yet contested America.