Jeffersons Presidency n Election of 1800 was bitterly
Jefferson’s Presidency
n Election of 1800 was bitterly fought; Adams v Jefferson: mudslinging / negative campaigning n Jefferson was accused of Atheism and of fathering children with a slave woman (Sally Hemmings): Adams was accused of having royalist ambitions… n Aaron Burr’s Tammany Society, a Political Club affiliated with the Republican party, helped Jefferson win the NY vote (Hamilton’s backyard) n Republicans had 146 electoral votes (out of 275): enough to win Presidency and Vice Presidency (the plan was for a 74 -72 vote, Jefferson / Burr)
n But Jefferson and Burr tied at 73, sending the decision to the outgoing House of Reps, from among the two (Adams: 65, Pinckney: 64, Jay: 1) n Burr was suspected of intrigue…. getting one of the electors to change their vote n Outgoing Hse. of Reps was controlled by Federalists – irony, they would get to choose the new Republican President - to defy the Reps they could have chosen Burr – Hamilton persuaded them not to (political maturity) n Before stepping down Adams passed the Judiciary Act of 1801, adding many new judgeships, inc. 16 new lifetime federal judges – stacked them with Federalists
n Also app. John Marshall, a staunch Federalist, as new Supreme Court Chief Justice n Know as his “midnight appointments” – supposedly stayed up late on the night before he stepped down (exaggerated) n With Republicans winning the Presidency and control of Congress, he wanted to leave at least one branch, the Judicial Branch, in Federalist control n Jefferson was highly critical of Adams for “defying the will of the people…. the people’s desire for change”. .
Federalist Achievements (Federalist Period 1788 -1800 / 1790 s) n Political and Economic stability Favorable Treaties with Br and Fr and Sp? Neutrality Respect, Credibility…. . home and abroad n Why did the Federalists lose in 1800? : n Lack of appeal to the expanding lower middle and lower classes (“common people”) Growing appeal of the philosophy of Jefferson / Rep’s “Inevitability of change”…. People want to try something else “get them out”. . try someone, something else… n n n
Jefferson’ Domestic Policies n Claimed his election represented the “Revolution of 1800”, a return to the Republican principles of the Revolution. n Was it really a Revolution? n Need to define the term “Revolution” – text says that it was a Revolution in the sense that it involved a remarkable “peaceful and orderly transfer of power on the basis of election results accepted by all parties. ” (Does this make it a Revolution? )
n Revolution? : there was a change in the philosophy, tone, focus of the new gov…he was determined to return the gov to Republican principles / values. . n He felt Gov. had been by the aristocracy / elite for the elite, now by the educated elite for the Yeoman Farmer (oversimplification): had been a very strong Federal gov. , now states rights would have more emphasis…. less Centralized, more de-Centralized gov. n But Jefferson also tried to calm Federalist fears by declaring after his victory that “we are all Republican, we are all Federalists” – indicating there would not be dramatic / drastic change / Revolution…he would practice “restraint”
Jefferson’s Changes n n Spoils System; Jefferson introduced the so-called “Spoils System ” – changed the personnel of the cabinet and key govt. positions, advisors: wanted Reps in gov. who believed in his policies (no different from what Adams had done in Midnight Appointments – jobs for his men) n Criticized – but has become normal / standard practice to surround President with people from his own party: n To his credit, Jefferson did not change officeholders over night - 50% by end of 1 st term, remainder by end of second…to allow smooth transition and opportunity for those being replaced to find other jobs
n n 12 th Amendment: Pres and Vice Pres candidates run on the same ticket – designated which office they run for – to avoid what happened in 1796 (Adams and Jefferson: pres and vicepres from different parties) and 1800 (Jefferson and Burr’s intrigue) n If no Pres candidate has a simple majority of electoral votes, Hse. of Reps decides from among the top three who were running for Presidency (1 vote per state in Hse) n 11 th Amend - Fed courts have no authority in suits by citizens against a state
n n Alien and Sedition Acts Ended Alien Act, by introducing the Naturalization Act restored 5 year residency requirement for citizenship n Ended Sedition Act…. allowed to expire…. those imprisoned under the Act were released and pardoned n Economic / Financial Policies Abolished all Excise or Internal Taxes Reduced govt. staff, and spending: (reduced military: army to 2, 500, navy from 25 to 7 vessels) Achieved a balanced budget for first time since Independence n n n
n Began paying down Fed. Govt. debts - had gone up from $76 m to $83 m under Federalists – Jefferson brought it down to $45 m, paying off $38 m n But he did not interfere with or repeal: n n Funding at Par Assumption Tariffs The Bank of the US (BUS) n Accepted the responsibilities / realities of office: easier to be idealistic when in opposition: needed to now be pragmatic: these policies were working, so left them be n “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalist”…. there was no real massive overhaul of the political and economic systems
n No major upheaval…. . as much continuity as change in new Gov…. continued with many of the same policies, and most of the same representatives as before remained in Congress…. was it a Revolution? ? ? n Challenged Federalist control of Judicial Branch: repealed Judiciary Act of 1801 and abolished many of the judgeships and new offices…. but Marshall remained Supreme Court Justice for life
n n n Marbury v Madison, 1803: established the principle of Judicial Review: ironic – Jefferson wanted this applied before, with the Alien and Sedition Acts, but not so much now that he was President Marbury: app. Justice of Peace for D. C. , a midnight appointment Madison: new Republican Sec. of State in Cabinet Marshall: Supreme Ct. Chief Justice 1789 Judiciary Act: permitted govt. officials to seek a “writ of mandamus” (an order than an act be performed by the Supreme Court)
n n n Marbury late in actually showing up for the app. Madison refused to approve of the app. Marbury asks Supreme Ct. / Marshall for a “writ of mandamus” (to order Madison to give him his job) n Marshall’s ruling was that; n Acc. To Judiciary Act of 1801 Marbury should get the job, but there was nothing to mandate Madison to give it to him, since he was late, and now the Adams admin was out of power But he had no right to appeal to the Supreme Ct. His case was not covered under either Original Jurisdiction (disputes between States or Foreign Countries) or Appellate Jurisdiction (by appeal, after going through lower courts first) of the Constitution n
n Marshall declared that the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional (violated jurisdiction issues), therefore void, therefore the Supreme Court could not order the app. to be given – it had no jurisdiction over the case n Principle of Judicial Review was established for first time – Supreme Court was accepting its responsibility and exerting its authority n Jefferson had mixed feelings; unhappy at suggestion that Marbury should get his job, pleased that there was no mandate to give him his job, pleased with exercise in principle of Judicial Review, unhappy that a Federalist Chief Justice indicated he would be exercising this power in the future, which would prove difficult for him
n Until his death, Marshall would uphold Federalist principles…strong Federal gov. , Federal authority over State authority etc. . . defying all attempts to weaken its power: established Judicial Branch as an equal Branch of Gov. n Jefferson was unable to remove / have impeached another Federalist Supreme Court Judge, Samuel Chase, for defamation of Republicans: Supreme Ct. remained Federalist dominated down to Presidency of Andrew Jackson (app. Taney)
n n Louisiana Purchase, 1803: doubled size of USA Napoleon regained Louisiana, Miss River, New Orleans from Spain n Hoped that with these and Fr West Indies his Empire would expand to the Western Hemisphere n Pinckney’s Treaty no longer applied: lands were now French not Spanish (didn’t have to allow US access) n Before French took over, Spanish governor, under French direction, again cut off US use of Miss River and port of N. O. , which US farmers depended on
n Farmers appealed to Jefferson to do something: some called for war with France n Jefferson decided to try to purchase N. O. from France (and land east of the Floridas): sent Monroe and Livingstone to negotiate: Congress sanctioned an offer of $2 m for N. O: Jefferson secretly told them to offer $10 m: n Indicated he would negotiate an alliance with the British if talks broke down – would join with British to prevent French occupation of New Orleans n Simultaneously Jefferson increased the size of the army and navy – giving the impression that the US was preparing for war
n Delegates were pleasantly shocked when Napoleon offered to sell N. O. and all of Louisiana (west of N. O) for just $15 m n Why? Napoleon n n Was unable to overcome a slave revolt in Haiti (Toussaint L’Ouverture)…. ice and mosquitoes Wanted to focus on Europe and defeating Britain Wanted to be on good terms with the US Delegates accepted, and now Congress / Jefferson would have to approve
n Jefferson favored approval, but had reservations about Constitutionality – Congress or President didn’t have the power to purchase new lands (very technical) – would have to use the Elastic Clause / Broad Construction n Federalists accused him of hypocrisy (using elastic clause) - were really worried that the farmers who would benefit from the purchase of this new land would be even more indebted to the Reps, and would become more loyal Rep voters / supporters… would contribute to further decline of Federalists n Congress approved…purchase went ahead… “greatest land deal in US History” (“US purchased a wilderness to get a city”) n Jefferson sent Lewis and Clarke, and Zebulon Pike to explore the new lands (explore, map, info on Indians, quality of land, soil, animals, passage to Pacific)
Burr Conspiracy v v v v Jefferson was re-elected in 1804 (Pinckney Vice Pres – Burr out) Extreme New Eng Federalists realized that Federalist party was never going to recover Formed a group know as the Essex Junto Decided that the only solution was to Secede and form a new nation, the “Northern Confederacy” Cited the Compact Theory of Jefferson’s Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions to justify this – the Louisiana Purchase was unconstitutional…. . but was not nullified…. so states should withdraw / secede. . Most Federalists were opposed to the plan, inc. Hamilton Essex Junto struck a deal with Republican Burr – they would help him get elected Gov. of NY if he would get NY to Secede when elected
n n n Hamilton made harsh comments about Burr’s Conspiracy Burr lost the election, blamed Hamilton Famous Duel – Burr shot Hamilton dead Fearing arrest, Burr fled to Louisiana: supposedly plotted with Gov. Wilkinson to have that state Secede, and then invade and capture Mexico and form a new nation Wilkinson then fell out with Burr, revealed Burr’s involvement in this plan of treason, Burr was arrested Case heard by Marshall: would not find him guilty unless there were “two witnesses to the same overt act of treason” (only one – Wilkinson)…acquitted him (partly to defy Jefferson)…Burr fled to Europe
Jefferson’s Foreign Policy n Napoleon’s Continental System, 1805, and Britain’s Orders in Council, 1806, restricted US trade n Neutrality of US ships violated by both – US ran a double risk n British were most active in seizing US ships headed for Europe…impressed US sailors (Br claimed they only impressed deserters from Br navy) n 1807: Most daring Br assault: British naval ship, the Leopard, waited off the coast of Va to attack the US ship, the Chesapeake, to capture 4 supposed deserters; 3 US sailors killed in the incident, 17 wounded
n Calls for War with Britain to get revenge n Jefferson wanted to make a strong statement, while avoiding war; he n Expelled all British ships from US waters Demanded compensation (British agreed to this) Demanded an end to Impressment When the British refused to end it, he announced an Embargo Act (1807) against all foreign nations; no trade, imports or exports with anyone…(over-reaction) Felt that Br (and Fr) depended on US exports / trade – would force Br (and Fr) into renouncing their embargos US farmers, traders, merchants suffered more than Br or Fr …led to Economic Depression in US n n n
n Federalist merchants of the North East were most critical, again accusing Jefferson of Loose Construction n Yet, in the long term there were benefits: selfsufficiency, new industries / businesses emerged to supply the goods not being imported n Farmers, who suffered a lot, withheld their criticism of Jefferson – felt they were being patriotic through their suffering…and he had just bought Louisiana for them n Republicans still won the Pres election of 1808 – Madison elected: but before stepping down Jefferson realized that the Embargo Act should be repealed: approved of a new act ………. .
n The Non-Intercourse Bill of 1809 – reopened trade with all nations except Britain and France (Madison admin. ) n Replaced by Macon Bill #2, 1810, trade with all nations, including Britain and France, until one of these two renounced their policy – the US would then continue trading with the country that renounced and stop trading with the other one (Napoleon would take advantage of this)
Jefferson Assessment n Declaration of Independence…………. n Opposition / foil / balance to Hamilton / Adams / Washington in first 12 years after Constitution n As President; moving the Federal Govt. to the center or left, adding a more democratic / republican tone (ended Alien and Sedition Acts, Excise tax…. yet no Radical Changes (like Federalists, he upheld Constitution, favored Political and Economic stability, neutrality, and some use of Loose Construction / Elastic Clause, and most of their economic policies)…. . Was his election a Revolution? n Adding new lands, Louisiana Purchase, but costly Embargo of 1807 n Stepping stone, bridge between Federalism and more liberal Jacksonian Democracy later
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