Thomas Jefferson’s Presidency

1800-1808

A Philosophic Cock

4. The Election of 1800

• Democratic-Republican Candidates:

Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr

The Revolution of 1800?

Could John Adams have won the Election?

The Election of 1800

• Jefferson and Burr, received 73 electoral votes

• Election was settled the House of Representatives after 35 votes

• What changes in the House?

Jefferson’s Evil Twin

States Rights The Government Rules!

Jefferson’s 1st term• Cut military spending

– Reduced the army from 4000 to 2500 men– Reduced the navy from 25 to 7 ships

• Reduced national debt from $83 million to $45 million– Cut ALL internal taxes (tariffs & sales of western land

only income)

• Let the Alien and Sedition Acts expire

Marbury vs. Madison

Does William Marbury, one of John Adams’ last minute “midnight judges,” receive his commission to be judge or not?

Issues with the CourtsDoes Judicial Review undermine

democracy?

7. The Louisiana Purchase

Lewis and ClarkCorps of Discovery

Meriwether Lewis

Zebulon Pike

• Pike’s Peak.• Texas and Mexico

Jefferson’s 2nd TermBarbary Pirates of North Africa

Chesapeake-Leopard Chesapeake-Leopard “Affair” – Precarious “Affair” – Precarious

NeutralityNeutrality

Chesapeake-Leopard Chesapeake-Leopard “Affair” – Precarious “Affair” – Precarious

NeutralityNeutrality• June 21, 1807.June 21, 1807.

• Br. Captain fired on Br. Captain fired on the USS Chesapeake.the USS Chesapeake.

• 3 dead, 18 wounded.3 dead, 18 wounded.

• Br. Foreign Office Br. Foreign Office said it was a mistake.said it was a mistake.

• Jefferson’s Response:Jefferson’s Response:

• Forbade Br. ships to dock in Forbade Br. ships to dock in American ports.American ports.

• Ordered state governors to call up Ordered state governors to call up as much as 100,000 militiamen.as much as 100,000 militiamen.

Embargo Act 1807

Jefferson after the Presidency

• A “Splendid Misery”• Jefferson renews his friendship with his

long-term friend and political rival, John Adams.

• Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both die on the same day: July 4, 1826. It was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence which both men help write.

James Madison – 4th President

• James Madison, the author of the Constitution, a Democratic-Republican, and Jefferson’s hand-picked successor becomes the next President.

Domestic Problems

• Fletcher v Peck– Contract Clause

• National Bank– Expiration

• Battle of Tippecanoe– Indian Problem

President Madison’s Foreign Problems

• Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 Americans could now trade with all nations except for Britain and France.

• How does this impact US foreign policy? • Macon’s Bill No. 2 Restored US trade

with France and Britain. If Britain or France formally agreed to respect US neutral rights at sea. Then the United States would prohibit trade with that nations foe.

War of 1812• Causes

a.) Free Seas and Trade US neutral rights at sea were not respected. Britain kept impressing American ship crews.

b.) Frontier Pressures Americans blamed the British for instigating rebellions with Native Americans.

c.) War Hawks new young Republicans to Congress looking for war with Britain. Led by Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. War would defend American honor, gain new land, and destroy Native American resistance.

American ProblemsAmerican ProblemsAmerican ProblemsAmerican Problems• The US was unprepared militarily:The US was unprepared militarily:

• Had a 12-ship navy vs. Britain’sHad a 12-ship navy vs. Britain’s800 ships.800 ships.

• Americans disliked a draft Americans disliked a draft preferred preferred to enlist in the disorganized state to enlist in the disorganized state militias.militias.

• Financially unprepared:Financially unprepared:

• Flood of paper $.Flood of paper $.

• Revenue from import tariffs declined.Revenue from import tariffs declined.

• Regional disagreements.Regional disagreements.

War of 1812• Major Military Battles

a.) 1813: Captain Oliver Hazard Perry’s naval victory cleared the way for General William Henry Harrison’s victory on the Thames River.

b.) British army burnt down the nations capital – set fire to the White House, the Capitol Building, and other government buildings.

c.) South The Battle of New Orleans was fought by Andrew Jackson to control the Mississippi (Treaty of Ghent signed prior to battle taking place).

THE TREATY OF GHENT WAS A STALEMATE TREATY.

Hartford Convention (Dec 1814 - Jan 1815)

• New England Considers Secession • Opposition to the war remained strong in NE even after declaration• 26 delegates (MA, CT, RI, NH, VT) met in secret to consider several

proposals including constitutional amendments to strengthen the states.(1) Limit reps. according to free population only;(2) Use federal revenue collected in NE only for defense;(3) An embargo could not last more than sixty days;(4) Require a 2/3 vote in both houses before declaring war;(5) Restrict for commerce and the admission of new states;(6) Limiting the President to a single term.

• Signing of T. of Ghent overshadowed them- the measures were not considered

• The Hart. Con. became the brunt of popular jokes.