Hist 221 test 2 day 9

• Revolution of 1800:

  • Transition of power from the Federalists to the Republicans.

  • Federalists worried about the potential radical changes, fearing a turn similar to revolutionary France.

• Jefferson’s Inaugural Address:

  • Conciliatory tone:

  • Declared "We are all Federalists, we are all Republicans" to emphasize unity.

  • Proposed various policy changes:

  • Opposition to the National Bank.

  • Rejection of the Sedition Act.

  • Advocacy for smaller government – reduced military spending and preferred smaller naval ships for coastal defense.

• Control of Government:

  • By 1800, Republicans controlled both the legislative and executive branches.

  • Federalists attempted to maintain influence through the Judiciary Act of 1801, creating additional federal judgeships.

  • Federalists appointed to these positions before leaving office ("midnight appointments").

• Supreme Court Dynamics:

  • John Marshall became Chief Justice, opposing Jefferson’s views.

  • Marshall aimed to expand the Supreme Court’s power, establishing itself as a “judicial nationalist.”

• Marbury v. Madison:

  • Early landmark case during Jefferson’s presidency concerning the appointment of William Marbury as justice of the peace.

  • Marbury’s commission was not delivered due to Jefferson’s non-compliance with the Judiciary Act.

  • Marbury sued for his commission, leading to the landmark Supreme Court case.

  • The Supreme Court, under Marshall, ruled that, while Marbury was entitled to his commission, the court did not have the jurisdiction to enforce it as the relevant section of the Judiciary Act was unconstitutional.

• Judicial Review Established:

  • The case established the principle of judicial review, where the Supreme Court can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional, enhancing the Court's power within the government framework.

• Creation of Washington, D.C.:

  • Jefferson was the first president inaugurated in Washington, D.C., established under the agreement to place the national capital in a southern state to gain support for Hamilton’s financial plans.

  • D.C. formation resulted in Virginia eventually reclaiming part of the land initially allocated for the capital.

• Barbary Wars:

  • Jefferson's first term included the undeclared war against Barbary pirates in North Africa, focusing on maritime trade protection.

  • Led to a series of naval battles showing Jefferson’s willingness to use military force despite his small government ideology.

• The Louisiana Purchase (1803):

  • Doubled the size of the United States, adding vast territories from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.

  • Negotiated initially for New Orleans and Mississippi access but ended up acquiring all of Louisiana for $15 million from France (Napoleon).

  • Raises constitutional questions regarding whether the federal government could purchase land.

  • Reluctantly justified the purchase, emphasizing the opportunity for expansion.

• Continued Expansion and Exploration:

  • The acquisition led to exploratory expeditions.

  • The most notable being the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806), which mapped the new territories, documented various species, and explored Native American relations.

  • Other expeditions (e.g., Zebulon Pike) expanded knowledge of the western territories.

• Impact of War in Europe:

  • Jefferson's second term was marked by difficulties due to renewed wars in Europe, notably with Britain and France, impacting American trade and leading to the War of 1812.

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more detailed below

• Revolution of 1800:

  • The Revolution of 1800 marked a significant transition of power from the Federalist Party to the Democratic-Republican Party (Republicans) in the United States. This was significant as it represented the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in the nation, demonstrating the strengths and resilience of the American democratic process.

  • Federalists were deeply concerned about the potential for radical changes under Jefferson’s presidency, fearing a shift toward anarchy, reminiscent of the violent upheavals in revolutionary France. They worried that the Republicans, with their populist appeal, might undermine the structures of government they had built.

• Jefferson’s Inaugural Address:

  • In his inaugural address, Thomas Jefferson adopted a conciliatory tone aimed at national unity. He famously declared, "We are all Federalists, we are all Republicans," which underscored his commitment to bridging partisan divides and reinforcing a sense of shared American identity.

  • Jefferson proposed various policy changes aimed at reducing the power and influence of the federal government:

  • He opposed the establishment of a National Bank, viewing it as an instrument of federal overreach and favoritism toward elite commercial interests.

  • He rejected the Sedition Act, which he deemed unconstitutional for limiting free speech and press, believing such acts undermined the very principles of democracy.

  • Advocated for a smaller federal government, proposing reduced military expenditures and favoring smaller naval ships for defensive purposes, reflecting his preference for a non-aggressive foreign policy.

• Control of Government:

  • By the end of 1800, the Republican Party had gained control over both the legislative and executive branches of government, symbolizing a significant shift in American politics. This control allowed Jefferson to implement his vision for the country following years of Federalist dominance.

  • In an effort to maintain influence, Federalists passed the Judiciary Act of 1801, which created additional federal judgeships, allowing them to appoint judges even after losing the Presidency. This led to several last-minute appointments known as "midnight appointments" made before Jefferson took office.

• Supreme Court Dynamics:

  • John Marshall, appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, emerged as a pivotal figure who fundamentally shaped the court's role in American government. Marshall's tenure saw a clear opposition to Jefferson's interpretative approach to the Constitution.

  • He championed a vision that increasingly expanded the Supreme Court's power, establishing it as a co-equal branch of government, and promoting the concept of “judicial nationalism” that reinforced federal authority over states.

• Marbury v. Madison:

  • The landmark case of Marbury v. Madison arose from the political tensions surrounding the last-minute judicial appointments made by outgoing President Adams. William Marbury, appointed as a justice of the peace, did not receive his commission before Jefferson took office, leading to a pivotal Supreme Court case.

  • Marbury sued the Jefferson administration for his commission, which propelled the issue into the courts. Marshall's ruling established that while Marbury was entitled to his commission, the Court could not enforce it, as the provision of the Judiciary Act granting the Court that power was deemed unconstitutional—a fundamental decision that positioned the Court as a defender of the Constitution.

• Judicial Review Established:

  • This case established the principle of judicial review, a cornerstone of the U.S. legal system that empowers the Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of legislative acts and executive decisions. This marked a critical moment in enhancing the power of the judicial branch within the American system of government.

• Creation of Washington, D.C.:

  • Jefferson was the first president inaugurated in the newly constructed capital of Washington, D.C. This move was part of a compromise made to establish the national capital in a southern state, which was crucial for gaining support for Hamilton’s financial plans, aimed at stabilizing the country’s economy.

  • The formation of D.C. involved complex negotiations, resulting in Virginia ultimately reclaiming parts of the territory originally designated for the nation’s capital, reasserting the influence of southern states in federal affairs.

• Barbary Wars:

  • Jefferson's first term was marked by military conflict, notably the undeclared war against Barbary pirates operating out of North Africa. This conflict arose from issues regarding U.S. maritime trade and the payment of tribute to ensure safe passage.

  • Jefferson’s decision to engage in military action demonstrated a willingness to use military force, contrasting with his primary ideology of fostering a limited government, thus highlighting the complexities of his presidency regarding foreign policy.

• The Louisiana Purchase (1803):

  • The Louisiana Purchase represented a monumental expansion of U.S. territory, effectively doubling the nation’s size by acquiring vast lands from the Mississippi River extending to the Rocky Mountains. Initially negotiated with the intent of securing control over New Orleans and access to the Mississippi River, the U.S. ultimately acquired the entire Louisiana territory for $15 million from France under Napoleon Bonaparte.

  • This acquisition raised significant constitutional questions about the federal government’s authority to purchase land without explicit constitutional provision justifying such actions. Jefferson, despite his strict interpretation of the Constitution, justified the purchase as a necessary measure for national expansion and security.

• Continued Expansion and Exploration:

  • Following the Louisiana Purchase, the federal government supported significant exploratory expeditions. The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) was particularly notable for mapping the newly acquired territories, documenting various species and ecosystems, and establishing relations with Native American tribes encountered along their journey.

  • Additional expeditions, such as those led by Zebulon Pike, contributed to an expanded understanding of the western territories, fostering interest in westward expansion and settlement.

• Impact of War in Europe:

  • Jefferson's second term was significantly affected by renewed hostilities in Europe, particularly conflicts involving Britain and France. These wars had a detrimental impact on American trade, leading to economic challenges and ultimately contributing to tensions that sparked the War of 1812, thus framing a complex narrative of American foreign policy during his administration.