Chapter 5
The Era of Thomas Jefferson
1800-1815
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 doubles the
size of the United States. At the same time,
the U.S. struggles to remain neutral in its
foreign policy. British support of the Native
Americans leads to the War of 1812.
Chapter 5, Section 1
Jefferson Takes Office
p. 184-187
Thinking of his election as “the
Revolution of 1800,” President Jefferson
hopes to make far-reaching changes in
government.
5.1 SECTION FOCUS QUESTION:
Why is Jefferson’s victory over Adams
often called the “Revolution of 1800”?
Republicans Take Charge
• Brutal Election of 1800:
Jefferson defeats Adams
• Aaron Burr ties Jefferson in
the Electoral College
– Burr was Jefferson’s running
mate.
– Who decides disputed
elections?
• Election goes to the House of
Representatives
Thomas Jefferson
– After 36 votes, Alexander
Hamilton gives the Federalist
vote to Jefferson
– “Better Jefferson and his
principle, than Burr, who has
none!” -A. Hamilton 1800
Alexander Hamilton
Aaron Burr
Jefferson Charts a New Course
• New Republican Policies:
• Limit the power of the
Federal government.
– “Strict” interpretation of
the Constitution
• laissez faire economics
– French phrase: the
government should not
interfere in economy
“We are all Republicans;
we are all Federalists.”
– Thomas Jefferson March 4, 1801
(from his 1st inauguration speech)
• Kept some Federalist
Policies:
– Hamilton’s Finance System
& the National Bank
Jefferson’s “Revolution”
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p. 186
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The Supreme Court & Judicial Review
• Chief Justice John Marshall
(Federalist) & Marbury vs.
Madison (1803) establishes
judicial review
– authority of the Supreme
Court to strike down
unconstitutional laws
– Judiciary Act of 1789 is
unconstitutional – Supreme
Court gets its power from the
Constitution, NOT from
Congress.
• Jefferson fails to curb the
power of the judicial branch.
John Marshall
4th chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
5.1 SECTION FOCUS QUESTION:
Why is Jefferson’s victory over Adams
often called the “Revolution of 1800”?
There was a transfer of power from the
Federalists to the Republicans. Changes
were made to reduce the power of the
federal government while keeping much of
the economic policies intact.