Jefferson Growing America Did Thomas Jefferson break with
Jefferson: Growing America Did Thomas Jefferson break with the advice of George Washington to stay away from foreign entanglements?
Barbary Pirates • European and US paid tribute to the pirates from Tripoli • Tripoli attempted to raise the amount of the tribute • Jefferson did not want to pay the higher price • Tripoli declared war on the United States • Jefferson sent Naval squadron to fight – They did not win, but they did not lose • US only country to say no to Pirates • New treaty had better terms for the US
Louisiana Purchase • Jefferson concerned when Spain gave New Orleans to France • Napoleon had grand ambitions; Jefferson wary • New Orleans and Louisiana was to be the breadbasket for the French islands in the Caribbean (Haiti, being the largest and most important) • Jefferson was willing to ally with British against the French, if no guarantee of the right of deposit given for New Orleans • Jefferson authorized $10 million for the purchase of Florida and New Orleans • If the French turn it down - Livingston was to seek an alliance with the British against the French • Napoleon lost Haiti for good, no longer had a need for New Orleans, needed money more • Offered Livingston all of Louisiana for $15 million
Ramification of Louisiana Purchase #1 • Merriweather Lewis and William Clark and 48 men sent out to explore Louisiana – Interests: • Scientific: species of plants, animals • Economic: waterways, fur trade, other natural resources • Military: treaties with Native Americans, maps • • • Sacajawea and her husband served as guides as translators for the group of explorers Came across Rocky Mountains - largely impassable, but some of the group continued on to the Pacific Coast Wanted to take a ship back to the East Coast - not one ship passed there the entire winter - went back over land Spanish still in some areas of the West and gave the expedition a hard time Southern Louisiana (the current state) enters the union in 1812 Northern area more difficult to settle
Ramification of Louisiana Purchase #2 • Burr Conspiracy - Aaron Burr sought to gain land for himself • Attempted to get British support for separating Western Louisiana from the US • British uninterested in the plot • Burr teamed up with a General Wilkinson (Already a traitor to US, spy for Spain) • Last minute - Wilkinson betrays Burr • During trial, Jefferson very involved in prosecution, John Marshall seemed partial to the defense • Jury acquitted Burr • However 6 states also wanted to try him for treason • He goes into self-imposed exile in Europe until his 80 s • Returns to NY
Europe in Turmoil 1806 -1814 • Continental System – French decree – Meant to make the continent of Europe economically independent from England - embargo against purchasing English products or English imports – Berlin Decree: All trade with England in Napoleon controlled lands illegal • British respond: Orders in Council – Blockade of Europe’s ports (Top Navy) – Ships that want to dock in Europe, must first stop in England, pay customs fees and then continue on • Milan Decree (France): Any ship that abides by the Orders in Council is subject to seizure
America’s Response • Americans eager to fill the void in the import/export field • England begins a policy of Impressment – British emigration was high – During a time of war, captains of ships can force British subjects to serve on their ships in the Navy • American naturalization methods not solid; people got citizenship illegally as well • When did an Englishman become an American? – British - never – America - upon naturalization • 1803 -1812: 5, 000 sailors impressed from American vessels • British released 3, 800 after a time, but captains of British vessels continued the practice
Jefferson’s Response • Jefferson had no navy to challenge the British • Enacted the Embargo Act against trade with Europe – Keep Americans safe – Destroyed the economy, especially the Northeast Shipping Industry • Illegal trade became the norm – Exports: $108 million in 1807 to $22 million in 1808 – Imports: $138 million in 1807 to $57 million in 1808 • Juries unwilling to convict violators of the Embargo Act • End of Jefferson’s second term, 1808 - Congress repealed the Embargo Act and replace it with the Non-Intercourse Act – No trade with England or France • President empowered to end the decree when England France stop violating rights of Americans
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