JB APUSH Unit 3A Age of Jefferson

Age of Jefferson Unit 3A AP U.S. History

Key Themes

  • Continuity and Change: Analyzing Jefferson’s administration from 1787 to 1812 regarding political and economic changes.

Revolution of 1800

  • Presidential Election of 1800:

    • Jefferson (D-R) vs. Adams (F);

    • Jefferson and Burr received 73 electoral votes each; John Adams received 65, Pinckney 64.

    • Result led to significant political power shift from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans.

Thomas Jefferson (D-R) (1801-1809)

  • Background:

    • Plantation owner, statesman, author of Declaration of Independence, Governor of Virginia, Minister to France.

    • Democratic-Republican founder opposing Hamilton's Federalists.

    • Emphasized civic virtue, education, and republican ideals in his inaugural address.

Jefferson's Policies and Actions

  • Judicial Actions:

    • Midnight Judges and Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established judicial review.

    • Repealed Judiciary Act of 1801.

  • Louisiana Purchase (1803):

    • Doubled U.S. in size for $15 million, leading to Federalist opposition.

  • Barbary Pirates:

    • Refusal to pay increased bribes led to conflicts; U.S. victory in 1805.

  • Embargo Act of 1807:

    • Response to impressment issues; aimed at coercive diplomacy but resulted in economic downturn and increased smuggling.

Jeffersonianism

  • Principles:

    • Preservation of Republicanism; emphasis on individual duty, prevention of corruption.

    • Strict interpretation of the Constitution emphasizing states' rights.

    • Focus on an agrarian society; opposed industrialization and urbanization.

    • Advocated for limited federal government powers.

Federal Judiciary Conflict

  • Judiciary Issues:

    • Impeachments of judges Pickering and Chase; emphasis on legal accountability over partisanship.

Election of 1804

  • Presidential Election:

    • Jefferson re-elected with significant support (92% of electoral votes).

Napoleonic Wars and Impressments

  • Continuation of impressments during Madison's presidency; increased tensions with Britain.

War of 1812

  • Causes:

    • Native American conflicts, impressments, and violations of neutrality rights.

  • Key Battles:

    • Battle of Tippecanoe, Naval Battles of Lake Erie, and the burning of Washington, D.C.

Conclusion of War and Impacts

  • Treaty of Ghent (1814): Resolved hostilities without addressing key issues; led to nationalism and domestic growth.

  • Era of Good Feelings: Post-war nationalism, infrastructure development, and increased respect internationally.