DemocraticRepublicans in Power Election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson

Democratic-Republicans in Power

Election of 1800 �Thomas Jefferson beats John Adams but ties with Aaron Burr � Adams – Federalist � Aaron Burr – Democratic Republicans � Thomas Jefferson – Democratic Republicans �Tie broken by House of Representatives � Adams helped secure this vote; felt TJ was the lesser of the two evils

Jefferson Administration �Extensive political experience �Professional politician � State legislator � Governor of Virginia � Congressman � Secretary of State � Minister to France �Serves 2 Terms as President (1801 -09)

Jefferson Administration �Reduced taxes on the people (repeals excise taxes) � Pays down debt (Not a blessing-gov’t loses a million dollars, but leaves most of Hamilton’s treasury structure intact) �Slashed the size of the army to under 3000 men (believed large army could lead to dictatorship) �Pardoned people who had been imprisoned under the Alien/Sedition Acts �Naturalization Law of 1802: residence reduced 14 down to 5 yrs �Dealt with the midnight judges issue (fed. Judges appointed by Adams in his last days) �Judicial review (Marbury vs. Madison)

� Fought the country’s 1 st overseas war – Tripolitan War 1801 -05 (Barbary Pirates War) � U. S. under TJ refuses to pay “tribute” to protect ships � Tripoli declares unofficial war � Marines victory in Tripoli 1805 leads to treaty; U. S. will pay to release prisoners � Established Military Academy at West Point � Signed a bill making slave importation illegal in the United States – in effect 1808

Louisiana Purchase 1803 � Jefferson – Strict constructionist � Is the purchase constitutional? � Madison and Robert Livingston negotiated the deal with Napoleon � Increases the size of the U. S. by 2/3 � Total purchase price of 15 million dollars (3 cents an acre) � Congress authorizes the Lewis and Clark expedition to map the new territory � Zebulon Pike: headwaters of Miss. R. (1805 -06); explored southern territory of purchase (1807)

“This accession of territory affirms forever the power of the United States, and I have given England a maritime rival who sooner or later will humble her pride. "

Lewis and Clark Expedition 1804 -1807 � Mission � Legitimize the LA. P. � Get to the Pacific Ocean � Gain accurate sense of value of LA. P. � Aided by Shoshone woman: Sacajawea � Achievement of expedition � Viability of overland travel to the west � Created maps (140) � Zoology/Botany � Friendly relations with the Indians (for the most part) Corps of Discovery

Discovered the Prairie Dog

Aaron Burr…American Scoundrel � Jefferson’s 1 st VP � Burr could be unscrupulous, insincere, devious and amoral � Habit of placing self-interest above the good of the whole � Joins group of extremist federalists plotted secession of NE and NY- plot uncovered by Hamilton (Duel) � Also tried to separate west and east and expand west by attacking Spanish held areas � Acquitted of treason flees to Europe

The Famous or Infamous Aaron Burr! �"In the past even I was afraid of my own greatness, therefore I could not stand in front of mirrors. "

The Duel � The Vice President shoots and kills the 1 st Secretary of the Treasury? Really! � The events are murky… � Dueling etiquette � Rules � “Deloping”: throw away 1 st fire to abort the conflict

Jefferson's Foreign Policy � Europe is at war…again! 1806 � British begins impressments of U. S. sailors � Embargo Act of 1807 (Epic Fail) � Outlawed almost all trading with foreign nations � Failed to significantly impact the Brits or French � Repealed 1809; Non-Intercourse Act trade w/ all except Britain and France � Only good: NE opens new factories (beginning of Industrial Rev)

James Madison becomes President � 1809 � Problems from the start… � Congress issued Macon's Bill No. 2. (1810); reopened American trade with the entire world � Madison had to reenact the trade embargo, but just against Britain. � Macon's Bill No. 2 will be one factor that led to the War of 1812.

Dolly Madison: The President’s Greatest Asset

British Instigation of Indians British General Brock Meets with Tecumseh Congress meets 1811; “war hawks” want to go to war with the British and eliminate the Indian threats to pioneers -resent British constraints on trade -resent British instigation of Indians

“War Hawks” John C. Calhoun [SC] Henry Clay [KY]

Battle of Tippecanoe, 1811 General William Henry Harrison governor of the Indiana Territory. Tecumseh (a Shawnee) organized a confederacy of Indian tribes to fight for their homelands. Tecumseh’s brother, Tenskwatawa “the prophet” fought against Harrison and was defeated at Tippecanoe. This made Harrison a national hero! [1840 election Tippecanoe & Tyler, too!]

Mr. Madison’s War: War of 1812 �Madison asked Congress to declare war on the British and it agreed. �The Democratic-Republicans supported the war ("war hawks") felt that the country had to assert American rights to the world. They wanted to invade Canada, the Indians' stronghold, because the Indians were being armed by the British to attack the settlers. �The Federalists were opposed because they supported Britain.