Thomas Jefferson Jefferson was born into a wealthy
Thomas Jefferson • Jefferson was born into a wealthy family in colonial VA • Inherited a huge estate from his father and began building Monticello at 26 • Wrote the D. O. I in 1776 at the age of 33
The Election of 1800 • Jefferson defeats John Adams • Democratic Republicans take the White House for the first time • 1 st Peaceful transition of power from one party to another
Jefferson’s Inaugural • 1 st President to take the oath of office in Washington D. C. • Outlines his plan to shrink the size of the federal government and give powers to the states • “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists”
Jefferson’s Inaugural • Read take turns reading Jefferson’s first inaugural aloud o At each break write the principle that Jefferson is speaking about in your notes
The Age of Jefferson • Cutting the national debt • Cut the federal bureaucracy o Repeal taxes o Cuts to the national budget • Reducing the size of the military, retired most warships • Known for political moderation • Republican Vision of America o “Republican Motherhood” o Education- “Virtuous Citizen”
The Age of Jefferson • Marked by a desire to push west o Native American groups resisted o Jefferson continued to press on • Creation of a vast reservation • Sent federal agents to “civilize” • Economy o Based on agriculture o Trade was primarily imports, yeoman farmer was the ideal citizen, and the government should work to his benefit over that of bankers, merchants, and manufacturers
Early Accomplishments • Let the Alien and Sedition Acts expire • Cut the size of the federal bureaucracy • Used tariffs and the sale of Western lands to reduce the national debt
The Duality of Jefferson • How do reconcile the ideals of the Declaration of Independence with the realities of Jefferson’s life? • Video
The Age of Jefferson • The Midnight Judges o As John Adams left office he filled federal judgeships • John Marshall****
• Jefferson had James Madison refuse to give a commission to one of John Adams’ “midnight judges” • Issue goes to the Supreme Court • Establishes the concept of “Judicial Review” • The Court may decide if a law is constitutional or not
Jefferson’s Foreign Policy • The Barbary Wars o The Barbary Pirates, North Africa, attacked American ships and demanded tributes be paid o Jefferson sent the U. S. S. Constitution to blockade the Port of Tripoli o Undeclared naval ensued o Eventually the pirates signed a treaty ending the conflict
Jefferson’s Foreign Policy • The Louisiana Territory was owned by France o France is at war with G. B. o Napoleon is attempting to conquer Europe o France has lost control of other N. American possessions and Haiti • Jefferson is interested in purchasing the territory o Is it constitutional? o Congress purchases in 1803 via treaty for $15 million o The size of the U. S. doubles
The Age of Jefferson • Lewis and Clark Expedition o Lewis and Clark led the Corp of Discovery o Set off from Camp Wood (outside of St. Louis) • 2 year journey to the Pacific • Detailed journals were kept about the journey o Maps were made of the territory o Interactions with Native Americans o Plant and Animal life was recorded
Jefferson’s Foreign Policy The Embargo Act of 1807 • G. B. and France continued to violate U. S. shipping rights by impressing American sailors o To prevent this Jefferson signed the Embargo Act of 1807 o Meant to stop the harassment only hurt American merchants and the domestic economy The American Snapping Turtle
Jefferson’s Legacy • Jefferson’s protégé, James Madison succeeded him • Renewed friendship with John Adams o Both men died on the 50 th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence • Jefferson’s Paradox, Liberty v. Slavery
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