6-3 Jefferson Alters the Nation’s Course

1. 6-3 Jefferson Alters the Nation’s Course Textbook Pages 184-188

2. Jefferson Wins Presidential Election of 1800 • Jefferson (R.) vs. John Adams (F) • Jefferson defeated Adams by 8 electoral votes. • Aaron Burr received the same number of votes as Jefferson (House of Rep. had to pick winner) • Hamilton persuaded Federalists to cast blank votes so Jefferson would win majority. • Burr lost and became vice-president

3. Jefferson Wins Presidential Election of 1800 • Hamilton felt Jefferson was better qualified for the job. • As a result the 12th amendment was passed and changed the way we elect the president. • This is still in effect today.

4. Peaceful Transfer of Power • Jefferson planned to wage a “peaceful revolution” to restore the republican ideals of 1776 against the strong-government policies of Federalism.

5. Simplifying the Presidency • He acted like a “common man” in presidency • Didn’t wear wig and wore common clothes. • Reduced the size of the army, lowered expenses for government social functions, halted expansion of the navy, rolled back Hamilton’s economy program (eliminated internal taxes and reduced the influence of the U.S. Bank) • Favored Free Trade

6. Southern Dominance of Politics • Southern way of life started to influence politics. • Jefferson was from the south.

7. John Marshall and the Supreme Court • Federalist had control of the judicial branch. • Judiciary Act of 1801 created by Adams – allowed for more federal judges. • Adams wanted to fill the vacancies with Federalists. • Called “midnight judges” because Adams signed the appointments on his last day in office. • Adams appointed John Marshall as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

8. John Marshall and the Supreme Court • Some of the appointments had be signed but not delivered. • Jefferson was upset that Adams had done this, so in return he did not deliver the appointments that were left behind.

9. Marbury V. Madison • William Marbury was appointed by Adams, but had never received his papers . • Demanded that the new Secretary of State James Madison deliver the papers. • Madison said no. • Chief Justice John Marshall said that Congress’s Judiciary Act of 1789, which would have forced Madison to hand over the papers was unconstitutional because the constitution contained provision for the Supreme Court to issue such orders as the act required.

10. Marbury V. Madison • Affirmed the principle of judicial review – the ability of the Supreme Court to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional.

11. Hamilton Duels with Burr • 1804 Hamilton backed Burr’s opponent in the race for governor of New York and described Burr as “a dangerous man, and one who ought not to be trusted with the reins of government” • Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. • Burr shot and killed Hamilton (who deliberately fired in the air)

12. The United States Expands West • Areas kept growing and people began to move West.

13. The Louisiana Purchase • In 1800 Napoleon Bonaparte of France persuaded Spain to return the Louisiana Territory. • Americans were alarmed because if things went wrong with France then the U.S. would have to be allies with Britain. • Jefferson sent James Monroe to France to negotiate buying the territory.

14. The Louisiana Purchase • Bonaparte had just lost a key battle and didn’t want to deal with the Louisiana Territory so in 1803 he decided to sell it to the U.S for $ 15 million dollars. • United States had doubled in size. • Jefferson was worried at first because he didn’t know if the purchase was constitutional.

15. Lewis and Clark • Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were sent to navigate the land. • Sacajawea served as their interpreter and guide. • Took 2 years and 4 months and was a great success.