Jefferson’s Presidency and the Louisiana Purchase

1. Jefferson’s Presidency and the Louisiana Purchase Standard 8.4.1: Describe the country's physical landscapes, political divisions, and territorial expansion during the terms of the first four presidents. 8.4.2: Explain the policy significance of famous speeches (e.g., Washington's Farewell Address, Jefferson's 1801 Inaugural Address, John Q. Adams's Fourth of July 1821 Address

2. Jefferson’s Inauguration • Inauguration: placing somebody in an official position; a formal ceremony that marks the beginning of something new • There is a tie in votes between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. The House breaks the tie and Jefferson becomes President. • 12th Amendment is passed. Electors vote for the President and Vice President on separate ballots. Also, the House elects the president in case of a tie.

3. Jefferson’s Inaugural Address • March 4, 1801, Jefferson is sworn in by the Senate as President and gives his first official speech and presents his goals. • He supported state’s rights and believed that states could best protect individual freedoms. • He wanted to reduce the power and size of the federal government. • He supported the philosophy of “laissez-faire,” which means that people should do as they choose, especially in trade and commerce.

4. Testing the Constitution • Federalists passed the Judiciary Act of 1801 right before Jefferson comes into office. They increased the number of federal judges and appointed Federalist judges so that the Federalists would control the courts. • In the Supreme Court Case, Marbury v. Madison, Chief Justice John Marshall sides with James Madison, Jefferson’s Secretary of State. Marshall reinforces the principle of Judicial Review. • The Constitution is the supreme law of the land • The judicial branch has to uphold the Constitution • Other court cases further broaden federal power

5. Americans Move West • Pioneers cross the Appalachian Mountains into Indian territories • With rifle and axe in hand, settlers forge through untamed wilderness in Conestoga Wagons for fertile land

6. Settling the Territories • Northwest Ordinance of 1787 opens up new lands and establishes precedence of westward expansion, outlaws slavery, states could apply for statehood with pop. of 60,000 • Louisiana Territory, land west of the Mississippi, belonged to Spain. In 1802, Spain transfers the land to France. Jefferson feels threatened, attempts to purchase the territory • Napoleon, France’s leader, needed money to finance the war against Britain • In 1803, Livingston and Monroe purchase the territory for $15 Million

7. Bargain of the Century • October, 1803, the Senate approves the purchase and treaty with France • The size of the United States doubles

8. Exploring the New Lands • Jefferson sends Lewis and Clark on an expedition to investigate the newly acquired land • Lewis and Clark assemble an experienced team and leave St. Louis in 1804

9. The Journey Continues • Lewis and Clark search for the “Northwest Passage,” a water route to the Pacific, which they never find • They travel up the Missouri River and encounter native tribes and animals never seen before • Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman joined their group as a guide. • After 18 months and many hardships, they reached the Pacific Ocean. • In 1806, when they returned, they collected and recorded important information about all the new people, plants, animals, and geography of the West. This expedition greatly inspired early pioneers and led to mass migration into the West

10. Expeditions of Zebulon Pike • Jefferson also sent Zebulon Pike on 2 expeditions between 1805 and 1807 to explore the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase • His efforts facilitated the development of the Santa Fe Trail, the first international trade route between the U.S. and Mexico

11. Reaction to the Louisiana Purchase • Federalists who opposed the purchase feared they would lose more power to Republicans • A group of Federalists plan to secede, or withdraw, from the U.S. • After, Aaron Burr, leader of the Federalists, is on the run for the murder of Hamilton by duel, plans for the “Northern Confederacy” fails