Jefferson’s presidency (1800-1808)

Washington, D.C.

1791- Pierre L’Enfant, a French architect, designed the layout of the city

Adams was the first to move in, 1800

Jefferson first full-term president to live in the White House

Jefferson’s Inaugural Address

Stressed limited government Supported states’ rights Preservation of civil liberties “Peace, commerce and friendship with all nations,

and entangling alliances with none”

Jeffersonian Democracy

Goals-liberty-equality-strong local government-reduce national debt-agriculture-based economy-expand U.S. territory-anti-war

Reality-racist

-loose interpretation of Constitution

-regulated national economy

-led U.S. to brink of war

Events Leading to the Louisiana Purchase

1800 – France (Napoleon) regained the Louisiana territory from Spain

Spanish officials still in New Orleans closed New Orleans to Americans

Jefferson feared the threat of an imperial power and possible trade restrictions on the Mississippi

Jefferson sent ministers to France to purchase New Orleans and West Florida

Constitutional Question No clause explicitly stated that a president could purchase foreign landJefferson argued the lands could be added to U.S. as an application of the Presidential power to make treaties

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Scientific exploration of the Louisiana Territory

Strengthened U.S. Claims to Oregon

Improved American Indian Relations

Developed maps for settlers and fur trappers

John Marshall

Federalist, appointed by Adams before leaving office

His decisions strengthen the role of the Supreme Court at the expense of states’ rights

Marbury v. Madison

Jefferson wanted to block the appointment of “midnight judges” by Adams

William Marbury sued, but did not get his commission

Marshall ruled the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional

By ruling a law of Congress unconstitutional Marshall established the doctrine of “judicial review” and extended the power of the Supreme Court

Aaron Burr

Plotted against Jefferson with his party “Quids” Northern Confederacy Conspiracy Duel with Hamilton Conspired with Gen. Wilkinson Tried for treason but found not guilty

Jefferson’s Second Term

Challenges to U.S. Neutrality Britain and France regularly seized the ships of

neutral nations and confiscated cargo

Britain captured American sailors and impressed (forced) them to serve in British navy

Chesapeake-Leopard Affair

British ship Leopard fired on U.S. ship Chesapeake

3 Americans killed; 4 others impressed into British navy

Charting a Course of Neutrality

Embargo Act of 1807 prohibited American merchant ships from sailing to any foreign port

Embargo backfired – hurt U.S. economy Jefferson repealed Embargo Act and replaced with the

Non-Intercourse Act of 1809, which stated: U.S. ships could trade with all nations except Britain

and France President could authorize trade with Britain or France

when they ceased violating neutrality rights

Jefferson’s Presidential Record

First Term Reduced the size of federal government, repealed excise

taxes, lowered the national debt by a third Louisiana Purchase – doubled the size of the country

Second Term Attempt to avoid a policy of either appeasement or war

by the use of economic pressure was a failure