The Jefferson Era

Part 1

Jefferson Begins His Presidency

A Stronger Supreme Court

Before Jefferson took office, the Federalists wanted to keep some power, so they passed a law increasing the number of judges. John Adams appointed Federalists to those positions. Hoping to at least maintain some control over the Judicial Branch.

The “Midnight Judge”

The night before he left office, John Adams appointed a judge named William Marbury. Jefferson would not accept this, and instructed his Secretary of State, James Madison, not to deliver the official papers confirming Marbury’s appointment. Marbury sued Madison, and over time, the case went to the Supreme Court.

John Marshall was the new Chief Justice of the

Supreme Court. His goal was to

make the Judicial Branch as powerful

as the other two branches of government.

Marbury Vs. Madison

In the court case, members of the Supreme Court ruled against Marbury. John Marshall, the Chief Justice, wrote the decision. He said that nowhere in the Constitution did it say the Supreme Court had the right to rule in a case like this.

Judicial Review

The court case Marbury vs. Madison helped establish JUDICIAL REVIEW. This means that the court has the authority to overturn laws passed by Congress or state legislatures, or to decide that other official government actions may be UNCONSTITUTIONAL. This is a very important power that the Court has.

Jefferson Takes Office

In 1801, Thomas Jefferson became the first president to be INAUGURATED in the new capital of Washington, D. C. The city was located in a wilderness area, and traveling there was difficult. Some people complained about its muddy streets, and its unfinished buildings.

Jefferson felt it was a good thing that the young country should carve its capital out of the wilderness.

Jefferson Had a New Presidential Style

He believed in the good sense of ordinary people, and wanted the government to be more DEMOCRATIC.

He was less formal, and preferred quiet dinners to the formal parties that his predecessors had given.

He shook hands with people instead of bowing.

Easing Federalist Fears Some federalists

worried how Jefferson would govern. He did call for an end to the political fighting that had been going on. He said, “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists”.

Jefferson did want to change some policies, and make the government smaller and less powerful by cutting the budget and lowering taxes. He believed in “LAISSEZ FAIRE”.

Jefferson Chose a Cabinet That Helped Him Achieve His Goals

Government expenses were cut. The size of the army was reduced, and

construction on new naval ships was halted. The unpopular whiskey tax was repealed. People jailed under the Sedition Act were

pardoned, and he asked Congress to restore the 5 year waiting period for citizenship.

He did keep the Bank of the United States, and also continued to pay off state debts.

New Orleans & The Mississippi

As more and more Americans moved west, they depended on the Mississippi River to ship their goods. Sometimes, the Spanish who controlled New Orleans threatened to close the port to the Americans. In the Pinckney Treaty, Spain agreed to let the Americans store goods in New Orleans.

New OrleansThen

New OrleansNow

Napoleon and New Orleans

By the early 1800s, France is back in control of Louisiana. President Jefferson is worried that Napoleon wants a North American empire. In fact, Napoleon did have some plans for the region, but a revolt in the Caribbean colony of Haiti foiled those plans, and weakened Napoleon’s interests in North America.

The successful revolution in Haiti had a direct impact on

United States history.

An Important Decision Is Made

At about the same time that the Haitian revolt is successful, Thomas Jefferson sent two men, Robert Livingston and James Monroe, to try and buy the port city of New Orleans. They were supposed to offer $2 million for the city, but were authorized to pay up to $10 million for this very important port city.

Robert Livingston and James Monroe

At first the French are not interested, but after the defeat in Haiti, their dream of empire in North America was hurt. Plus, France needed money for its wars in Europe. They offer the Americans the chance to buy all of Louisiana. At first we offer $4 million, but they said that was too low. How will America respond???