The Triumphs and Travails of the Jeffersonian Republic

1800-1812Chapter 11

I. Federalist and Republican Mudslingers Election of 1800- Adams Federalists wanted strong

central government, Jeffersonians guardians of states’ rights and agrarian values

Federalists handicapped by Alien and Sedition Acts Split with Hamiltonians Preparation for war caused debt to swell, new taxes Federalists concentrate on Jefferson’s personal life

to defeat D-R’S

II. The Jefferson “Revolution” of 1800 1800-Controversial election

Jefferson defeats Adams, Burr and others

Support from South and West States where there was

universal manhood suffrage VP Aaron Burr Jefferson claimed election was

“revolution” Return to spirit of 1776 Seen as a mandate to check

growth of gov’t power Peaceful transfer of power

remarkable achievement

III. Responsibility Breeds Moderation Jefferson takes office in

Washington, D.C. First party overturn in American

history Simple, frugal style contrast to

previous presidents Once in office saw political reality,

had to reverse principles Able politician, used personal

charm to keep party together

IV. Jeffersonian Restraint Jefferson kept most Federalist

programs, viewed as a moderate Got rid of Alien and Sedition

Laws Removed excise tax, cost

government millions of dollars a year

Streamline bureaucracy, turned over domestic policy to states

Revenue growth came from sale of western lands, surge in imports to America

Jefferson’s true desire for America was a nation of farmers (agrarian republic)

V. The “Dead Clutch” of the Judiciary Judiciary Act 1801 passed at the end of

Adams term Created 16 new federal judgeships Adams and the “midnight judges” Lifetime appointments upset Jeffersonians,

wanted to repeal act John Marshall appointed Chief Justice of

Supreme Court Marshall strong Federalist, committed to

power of federal government Served 34 years as Chief Justice Shaped American legal tradition more than

any other figure

V. The “Dead Clutch” of the JudiciaryMarbury vs. Madison

William Marbury one of the midnight judges

Madison wanted appointment denied Marbury sued government, Marshall

dismissed case Marshall said Supreme Court was not

able to use powers of Constitution to make appointment

Result of case: Supreme Court became final authority on questions of constitutionality (judicial review) Established independence of

judiciary, and separation of powers

VI. Jefferson, a Reluctant Warrior Jefferson wanted to reduce size

of military Wanted to transcend wars of

Europe Republicans distrusted large

armies Realities forced different course

of action Barbary States (N. Africa) kept

taking American sailors 1801- Pasha of Tripoli declared

war on US Jefferson sends in navy, marines 1805- peace treaty signed Jefferson builds American fleet of

small gunboats

VII. The Louisiana Godsend 1800- French sign secret pact

with Spanish to regain control of New Orleans

1802- Spanish withdraw “right of deposit” to Americans

Americans in the trans-Mississippi area wanted to descend on New Orleans

US thought it would have to fight French to retake New Orleans

1803- Jefferson sends James Monroe to buy New Orleans for $10 million

VII. The Louisiana Godsend

Developments cause Napoleon to sell all of Louisiana

1803- Revolt in Santo Domingo (Haiti) led by slaves and yellow fever defeat French troops

Napoleon needed money to fight war in Europe, needed cash from sale of Louisiana

US power might thwart British in New World

VII. The Louisiana Godsend French suddenly offer to sell

all of Louisiana April 1803 treaties signed,

sold to US for $15 million Doubled size of US Jefferson really did not have

power to do this (president not authorized to make treaties)

Senators did not complain, supported purchase, quickly approved action

828,000 sq. mi. 3 cents acre

VIII. Louisiana in the Long ViewResultsA. Avoided war with France, alliance with

EnglandB. Purchase foundation for futureC. Imperialism with a democratic face,

conquest by purchase (exception- Indians, Spaniards)

D. Expanded power of federal governmentE. Allowed Americans to be isolationist,

removed last significant European power from continent

F. Exploration of Lewis and Clark, Pike provided scientific, geographic knowledge of region

G. Demonstrated viability of overland route to the Pacific

IX. Aaron Burr Conspiracies Vast territory raised fears of secession

and foreign intrigue Demonstrated by Aaron Burr Burr dropped from Vice Presidency,

conspired against government, foiled by Hamilton

Bur and Hamilton duel, Hamilton killed, Burr becomes an outcast

1806- Burr plots with James Wilkinson (LA Territory governor) to create separate country of trans-Mississippi west

Plan foiled, Burr arrested Not enough evidence to put him on trial,

flees to Europe

X. A Precarious Neutrality 1804 Jefferson reelected 1805 Britain and France cause problems

for American trade British close trade with Europe, unless

it first stops at British port French seize all merchant vessels

(including American) Both sides impress American seamen

1807- Chesapeake incident British seize American frigate, demand

surrender of American sailors Americans refuse and British fire on the

ship British government admit they are

wrong American’s upset at incident

XI. The Hated Embargo Warring nations in Europe depend on

the US (raw materials, food) 1807-Jefferson decides to voluntarily

cut off goods, Embargo Act Forbid goods from US to be exported Hurt American economy (NE- shipping,

South- agricultural products), cost people jobs

Effects worse in US than Europe Smuggling made a comeback, so did

Federalist party Talk of succession in NE 1809- Act repealed, passed Non-

Intercourse Act (could trade with all countries except GB and FR), policy until 1812

Act extremely unpopular Did revive American manufacturing,

foundation for future industry

XII. Madison’s Gamble 1808- Jefferson retired after two terms James Madison becomes president Unable to dominate congress, problems within

Cabinet 1809- Non-Intercourse Act (would expire

1810), not supported by Congress US realized it could not survive without either

Britain or France as a trading partner Macon’s Bill No. 2 seemed like American’s

were giving in on embargoes 1810 France opens trade, British do not Why did they have to? Trade meant end of America neutrality

XIII. Tecumseh and the Prophet 1811- War hawks dominate

Congress, most from south and west Supported military action against

British Tired of treatment of sailors, British

interference in trade, especially farm products from the west headed to Europe

Wanted to clear Indians out of west (move them to LA Territory)

Two Shawnee brothers Tecumseh and the Prophet, formed a confederacy of eastern tribes

Movement of Indian unity, resist white ways

XIII. Tecumseh and the Prophet Frontiersmen and

Congressmen thought British were behind movement

1811- William Henry Harrison and army attacked and defeated Indians at Tippecanoe (Indiana)

Made Harrison a national hero, drove Indians into alliance with British

1813-Tecumseh dies fighting for British

XIV. Mr. Madison’s War Spring 1812 Madison sees war as inevitable War hawks want to invade Canada and wipe out British

base, stop Indian raids Old Northwest –wanted Canada South- wanted Florida Madison wanted to restore confidence in America, years

of steering a middle course with FR and BR brought international ridicule, domestic division

June 1812 Madison asks Congress to declare war Vote was sectional- west and south support war, New

England strongly against war New England refused to send militia into battle, supplied

British Another war with the world’s most powerful empire