Jefferson & the Republicans1800 - 1814

HIS 103

“The Revolution of 1800”

Peaceful transfer of power set precedent

Jefferson & Burr finished tied, so election settled in House – led to passage of 12th Amendment (1804)

Jefferson’s 1st Inaugural Address called for end to party strife

Government moved to Washington, D.C. in 1800

Washington, DC in 1800

Dismantling Hamilton’s system

Tried to pay off debt as quickly as possible

Bank of U.S. allowed to expire in 1811

Size of government reduced to cut taxes

Replaced Federalist officials with Republicans

Tried to impeach Federalist judges

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Secretary of State Madison refused to deliver Adams’ “midnight commissions”

Marshall ruled:– Marbury was entitled to

commission, but . . .– Court had no jurisdiction because

1789 Judiciary Act was unconstitutional

Set precedent of judicial review Chief Justice John Marshall

The Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis & Clark Expedition

Jefferson used loose construction to justify Louisiana Purchase (1803)

Napoleon couldn’t defend it, so sold it for $15 million

Sent Lewis & Clark Expedition to explore Missouri River, hoping for easy connection to Pacific

Meriwether Lewis & William Clark

Caught in the Middle between Britain & France

Stalemate between Great Britain & France had led each to cut off trade with the other

– Napoleon’s Continental System barred trade with Britain– British declared right to seize all neutral shipping & search for

deserters from Royal Navy (impressment) Threatened U.S. status as largest neutral carrier Jefferson responded with Embargo (1807-09)

– Cut off all foreign trade– Ruined New England merchants

Macon’s Bill #2 (1810) restored trade, but promised to renew nonintercourse with other country if either Britain or France would change their policy

Congress declared war on Britain in June 1812

The War of 1812

Americans invaded Canada but failed to conquer it

British launched 2-prong attack in 1814

– Chesapeake invasion stopped at Battle of Fort McHenry

– Champlain invasion stopped at Battle of Plattsburgh

Andrew Jackson defeated British at New Orleans (Jan. 1815)

Treaty of Ghent (Dec. 1814) restored status quo ante bellum

British Burn Washington, Aug. 1814

Dolley Madison & Gilbert Stuart’s Portrait of Washington

Effects of the War of 1812

Renewed patriotism– Francis Scott Key’s “Star Spangled Banner” becomes

national anthem– Capt. Lawrence’s cry, “Don’t give up the ship,” becomes

Navy motto

Created demand for more active federal government– Recognized Jefferson’s cuts left country woefully

unprepared– Spurred internal improvements (roads, canals, etc.)

Federalists discredited by talk of secession at the Hartford Convention (1814)

Ft. McHenry & Its Famous Flag