JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY(1800 – 1828)

ELECTION OF 1800

Adams runs for re-electionChallenged by JeffersonFederalists bash Jefferson, claim that

he is “more French than American”Adams depicted as war monger1st Election that involves

political parties

Major Issues:- Expansion of Military- Foreign Affairs- Alien & Sedition Acts

ELECTION OF 1800

Jefferson wins; becomes 3rd US PresidentDR's also win majority in House & SenateAllows for easy passage of DR laws

JEFFERSON’S PHILOSOPHY

Govt. exists to ensure & protect basic human rights

Citizens control govt. through annual elections

Govt. should be run by the citizens; make laws that the majority want

Govt. should onlyperform necessary duties

Therefore, govt. should be as small as possible

A “NATION OF FARMERS”

Govt. should support an agrarian societyBased on a model in northern Scotland:

- Communal Rights - Individual Rights

Farmers had most independence; Jefferson referred to this as agrarian democracy

Cities, factories, and land speculation will corrupt people

Upper class gains more power, which will inevitably limit the power of farming classes

EXAMPLE POLICIES

Provided for westward expansion (more farmland

= more democracy)Reduced the size of the

Army & NavyCut taxes and govt.

spendingPaid off govt. debts with

surplus tax $$Strict interpretation

of the Constitution( govt. performs ONLY enumerated powers)

LOUISIANA PURCHASE (1803)

French Revolution ends; Napoleon Bonaparte named Emperor of France

Wishes to build/restore French EmpireLoses last colony in West

(Haitian Slave Rebellion)Wishes to regain former coloniesSpain, fearing Napoleon, cedes

Louisiana Territory to France

FRENCH EMPIRE

LOUISIANA PURCHASE (1803)

Napoleon needs $$ to finance European campaigns (Napoleonic Wars)

France still has profitable trade in WestDecides to sell Louisiana

Territory & the port of New Orleans to US

US doubles in size; largest land purchase in history

Americans begin to push west

LEWIS & CLARK (1803-1805)

- Created land route to Pacific Ocean- “Discovered” 300 new species- Richness of West documented; fuels expansion

QUICK WRITE - JEFFERSONIAN??QUICK WRITE - JEFFERSONIAN??

• Jefferson, and the Republicans, believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution

• More importantly, they believed in using only the enumerated powers of govt. (i.e. no use of the “Elastic” Clause).

• In your opinion, was the Louisiana Purchase an example of his Republican beliefs?

• Or did Jefferson act more like a Federalist, using a loose interpretation in this acquisition?

• Please explain your answer.

MORE PROBLEMS W/ BRITAIN & FRANCE

• Britain & France continue fighting in the Napoleonic Wars (1802-1814)

• Neither side respects American neutrality

• Impose blockades to restrict American trade; influence govt. to get involved

• Blockades very successful• British continue policy

of impressment onUS sailors & merchants

BLOCKADE

EMBARGO ACT (1807)

• Jefferson wishes to remain neutral in wars• Wants to stop abuses by Britain & France• Passes Embargo Act:

– Restricts foreign trade to European nations– Goal to respect/honor American neutrality– Britain & France need US goods for war;

embargo will stop blockades & regain trade

• Jefferson underestimates the determination of France & Britain

• Napoleonic Wars continue despite the Embargo Act

US REACTIONS TO EMBARGO ACT

• Federalists flip out (Republicans have failed!!)

• Act hurts US more than foreign countries• Federalists gain powers in 1808 & 1812

congressional elections• However, Republicans regain Presidency

w/ election of James Madison

• US Exports in 1806: $108 Million• US Exports in 1808: $22 Million• Recession

POLITICAL CARTOON c. 1808

WAR OF 1812

• Three year war between US & British

• Massachusetts refuses to fight; send militia

• Birth of the “Star Spangled Banner”

• Britain invades America; captures Washington DC

• War ends in stalemate; Britain leaves US

• War is an economic disaster

USS CONSTITUTION ( c. 1812)

• “Old Ironsides”• Still in Boston Harbor today!!

IMPACTS OF WAR

• Mini-depression; US needs economic stimulus• Treaty negotiates borders between US & Canada• Massachusetts actions shows country is

beginning to move towards sectionalism

HENRY CLAY'S AMERICAN SYSTEM

• Means to boost & encourage economic growth

• Created by Henry Clay (Speaker of House)

• Based on Hamilton’s Economic System

1.) High tariffs to support internal improvements

2.) Increase in purchase & trade of US goods3.) US Bank for tax deposits; $$ used to build

up national defense

EFFECTS OF AMERICAN SYSTEM

• Road & Bridge Construction; creation of new, vast transportation networks

• Selling of public lands for profit; $$ goes into US Bank

• Expansion of army & navy after War of 1812

• Increases in interstate trade

• US Bank stabilizes currency; dollar becomes more valuable

ERIE CANAL (1817)

• Major accomplishment under American System• Funded by the state of New York• 364 mile man-made waterway connecting the

Great Lakes to NYC Harbor

“ERA OF GOOD FEELINGS”

• War of 1812 ended the Federalist Party• Democratic-Republicans control

Presidency & 85% of Congress• One party controls govt. for ten years,

continues American System• In 1820s the party splits; D-R & Democrats• Creation of political platform; or a list of

beliefs on certain issues (war, economy, etc.)

• Re-emergence of two party system

MISSOURI COMPROMISE (1820)

• Western expansion raises question: What do we do about slavery in the West?

• Missouri petitions to enter US in 1819• Applies as a slave-state• Problem??? Slaves states will now

outnumber free states• North is outraged; block Missouri's

admission for statehood in Congress

MISSOURI COMPROMISE (1820)

• LET'S MAKE A DEAL!!!!!

• Henry Clay called upon to make a compromise

• Terms of Missouri Comprise:

– 1.) Missouri is admitted as a slave state

– 2.) Maine is admitted as a free state– 3.) Slavery is prohibited in Louisiana

Territory north of Missouri

SECTIONALISM

• Missouri Compromise brings the issue of slavery

to the front burner in US politics• Country begins to divide:

North & South; Free & Slave

• Meanwhile, Americans continue to push west• What to do about....• Florida?• Arkansas?• Oregon?• Kansas?• Nebraska?