republican era part one 

The Era of Republican Rule

  • Overview

    • Focus on the revolution of 1800 and the lead-up to the War of 1812.

    • Key figures: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr.

The Revolution of Eighteen Hundred

  • Election of 1800

    • Thomas Jefferson (Republican) defeats John Adams (Federalist).

    • Adams frustrated Federalists by not waging war against France during quasi war.

  • Partisan Divide

    • Bitter political climate illustrated by harsh political rhetoric.

    • Example: Pro-Adams editorial warning of Jefferson's victory leading to chaos.

  • Electoral College Ties

    • Both Jefferson and Aaron Burr received 73 electoral votes, resulting in a tie.

    • Burr's ambition led to the election being decided in the House of Representatives.

    • Alexander Hamilton's influence helped Jefferson win over Burr.

Jefferson's Presidency Begins

  • Significance of Jefferson's Election

    • First Republican president.

    • Transition marked a shift in political power.

    • Peaceful transfer of power established a political precedent.

  • Decline of the Federalist Party

    • Federalists never regain the presidency again after 1800.

    • Slide into decline and diminished political relevance.

  • Jefferson's Vision

    • Advocated for a limited federal government.

    • Set new precedents, such as walking to his inauguration.

    • Symbol of egalitarianism with round tables instead of rectangular ones at dinners.

Jefferson's Domestic Policies

  • Cuts to Federal Government

    • Reduced army from 10,000 to 3,000 men.

    • Decreased navy from 25 ships to 7 ships.

    • Eliminated taxes on whiskey and head tax imposed by Federalists.

    • Trimmed executive branch from over 1,000 employees to 130.

    • Federal debt reduced from $83 million to $43 million during his term.

  • Ideal Citizen: The Yeoman Farmer

    • Jefferson's ideal citizen was the independent small farmer.

    • Belief that these individuals had a stake in society and could be trusted to govern.

The Louisiana Purchase

  • Background

    • Louisiana originally French, then Spanish possession after the French and Indian War until 1800.

    • Growing American population in the region created tensions over access to New Orleans.

  • Secret Treaty Concerns

    • Spain secretly ceded Louisiana back to France, causing concerns about access to Mississippi.

    • Jefferson aimed to purchase New Orleans for $10 million.

  • Diplomatic Maneuvers

    • Robert Livingston approached the French government, leading to negotiations.

    • French offered all of Louisiana for $15 million, leading to a constitutional dilemma for Jefferson.

  • Constitutional Debate

    • Jefferson justified the purchase as a treaty, despite previously advocating for strict constitutional interpretation.

    • Louisiana Purchase led to significant expansion of U.S. territory (828,000 square miles at 13¢ per acre).