REPUBLICAN ASCENDANCY:
THE JEFFERSONIAN VISION
Chapter 8
Republican Identities in a
New Republic
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An age of rapid population growth
– 7.2 million in 1810; two million more than
1800
– 20% black slaves
– children under 16 the largest single group
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Strong regional identities
Early secession movements threaten
national unity
North America in 1800
Westward the Course of
Empire
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Intense migration to West after 1790
New States
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Kentucky--1792
Tennessee--1796
Ohio--1803
Western regional culture rootless,
optimistic
Native American Resistance
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Western settlers compete for Indian land
Indians resist
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Tecumseh leads Shawnees, defeated
Creeks defeated
Settlers reject Indian-White coexistence
Commercial Life in the Cities
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Economy based on agriculture and trade
American shipping prospers 1793-1805
Cities associated with international trade,
otherwise marginal role in national life
Industrialization and mechanization just
beginning to frighten skilled craftsmen
I. The Political Crisis of the
1790s
“Revolution of 1800”
1. The Election of 1800
The Jeffersonian Revolution
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Well over 6 feet tall
Not a good public speaker.
One of the greatest writers among U.S.
Pres.
A renaissance man
Incredibly well-read in science and
philosophy
Cont. Congress;
assemblyman;
Gov. of Virginia.;
Author of Dec. of Independence;
Min. to France;
Sec. of State;
Vice Pres.
Election of 1800
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Adams v. Jefferson again. Close again.
Aaron Burr runs as Dem.-Rep. Vice President
Jefferson wins this time, 73 to 65.
Why do Federalists lose support?
Election is very personal (ie “dirty”)
New York is the key swing state. NY delivered
to Jefferson by Aaron Burr through his
connections in the state.
Jefferson strongest in west and south where
white male farmers (yeomen) dominated.
FEDERALIST
ATTACKS GET
PERSONAL
This anti-Jefferson cartoon
highlights the rumors that the
Virginia politician kept a black
mistress. In the late 19th century,
DNA evidence that Jefferson did
indeed father children with Sally
Hemmings, his slave and also his
wife’s half-sister.
Election
of 1800
Election of 1800
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Aaron Burr problem.
Vice Presidential election
and electoral college
before the 12th
Amendment
Tie threw election into
House
Burr’s reaction
Why did Hamilton help
Jefferson?
THE ELECTION OF 1800
John Adams (left) and Thomas Jefferson (right) squared off for the presidency for a second time in
1800. It was the first and only instance in American history when a sitting President and Vice
President ran against each other.
Revolution of 1800
 Election
of 1800 arguably the most
significant in US History.
Why?
The Federalist Finale
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Federalists, like the
dinosaurs, couldn’t
adapt and so
became extinct
Adams was the last
Federalist president.
 Federalist as halfway house
between European past and
American present.
 Why didn’t Federalists
appeal to more voters?
 Stayed a party for another 20
years, but never won the
presidency.
Jefferson’s Political Principles
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Themes of inaugural
 Jefferson’s political principles
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Rejected the idea of a political
elite.
Backbone of democracy was the
free, independent farmer.
Universal suffrage without regard
to property ownership.
Small government—governs best
when it governs least.
Strict construction of the
Constitution.
Jeffersonian Restraint
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Jefferson’s first priority was to undue abuses
by the Federalists.
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Pardoned those convicted under the Alien and
Sedition Act
Pushed a new naturalization law (1802) that
reduced residence requirement back to five years.
Repealed the excise tax—cost US 1 Mill. per year
in lost revenue.
reduced the national debt
What does he do to the core of Hamilton’s
financial program.
Jefferson as President
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Jefferson personifies Republicanism’s
contradictions
Despises ceremonies and formality
Dedicated to intellectual pursuits
A politician to the core
Success depends on cooperation with
Congress
Jeffersonian Reforms
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Priority to cutting federal debt, taxes
Federal expenses trimmed by cutting
military
Reduction of the army removes threat to
Republican government
Competent bureaucrats retained
regardless of party
Federalists retire from public life
Ambitious Federalists become Republicans
II. The Westward Movement
and the Jeffersonian
Revolution
The Jeffersonian Presidency
1. Policies
2. Marbury v. Madison
Jefferson and the West
1. The Louisiana Purchase
2. Secessionist Schemes
3. Lewis and Clark Meet the Mandan and
Sioux
The Louisiana Purchase
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1801--France buys Louisiana from Spain
1803--Jefferson sends a mission to France
to buy New Orleans
Napoleon offers to sell all of Louisiana for
$15 million
Constitution vague on Congressional
authority to purchase
Purchase departs from Republican
principle of strict separation
The Louisiana Purchase (2)
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Louisiana inhabitants French & Spanish
Jefferson denies them self-rule
Louisiana governed from Washington
Another Jeffersonian departure from
Republicanism
The Lewis and Clark
Expedition
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Lewis and Clark Expedition commissioned
prior to purchase of Louisiana
Expedition left St. Louis May 1804 and
reached the Pacific Ocean November 1805
Report on Louisiana’s economic promise
confirms Jefferson's desire to purchase
The Louisiana Purchase and
the Route of Lewis and Clark
II. The Westward Movement
and the Jeffersonian
Revolution
A.
The Expanding Republic and Native
American Resistance
1. Conflict over Land Rights
2. Assimilation Rejected
II. The Westward Movement
and the Jeffersonian
Revolution
B.
Migration and the Changing Farm
Economy
1. Southern Migrants
2. Exodus from New England
3. Innovation on Eastern Farms
Conflict With the Barbary
States
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North African states demand tribute from
ships sailing in Mediterranean
Jefferson dispatches U.S. fleet to
“negotiate through the mouth of a
cannon”
U.S. cannot defeat the Barbary States
Action induces respect for U.S. rights
The Barbary States
Jefferson’s Critics
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Dispute over federal court system
Conflicts between Republicans
Sectional dispute over the slave trade
Judiciary Act off 1801
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Last ditch effort to hold
power
“midnight judges”.
Chief Justice John Marshall
– Shaped American legal tradition
and meaning of the Constitution
more profoundly than any other
single figure.
– Served as Chief Justice for 34
years
Attack on the Judges:
Judiciary Act
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Judiciary Act of 1801 creates new circuit
courts filled with loyal Federalists
1802--Jeffersonians seek to repeal
Judiciary Act of 1801 to abolish courts
Federalists charge violation of judges’
Constitutional right of tenure
Marbury v Madison
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Marshall’s first and one of his most
important legacies
Basic Facts
“Writ of Mandamus”
Ruling
– Judicial Review
– Consequences
Attack on the Judges:
Marbury v. Madison
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Marbury v. Madison (1803) rules Judiciary
Act of 1789 unconstitutional
Federalist Marbury denied his judgeship
Republicans claim victory
Chief Justice John Marshall ensures
Federalist influence through judicial review
Attack on the Judges:
Impeachments
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1803--Federalist John Pickering
impeached, removed for alcoholism,
insanity
Republicans begin fearing the destruction
of an independent judiciary
Jefferson exacerbates fears by seeking to
impeach Federalist Samuel Chase
Republican Senate refuses to convict
Politics of Desperation:
The Yazoo Controversy
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Yazoo controversy
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fraudulent land case in Georgia
Jefferson attempts to settle by providing land
to innocent parties
Quids complain settlement condones fraud
Fletcher v. Peck (1810)
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Marshall court upholds Jefferson’s settlement
court may nullify unconstitutional state laws
Murder and Conspiracy: The
Curious Career of Aaron Burr
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Vice-President Aaron Burr breaks with
Jefferson
1804--Burr seeks Federalist support in
1804 New York governor’s race
Alexander Hamilton blocks Burr’s efforts
Burr kills Hamilton in a duel
The Burr Conspiracy
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Burr flees West after Hamilton duel
Schemes to invade Spanish territory
Burr arrested, tried for treason
John Marshall acquits on Constitutional
grounds of insufficient evidence
Precedent makes it difficult for presidents
to use charge of treason as a political tool
The Slave Trade
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Congress prohibits slave trade after 1808
Northern Republicans call for
emancipation of any black smuggled into
the U.S.
Southern Republicans win passage of law
to hand such persons over to state
authorities
America: A Neutral? Power?
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British Orders in Council in 1806
Napoleon’s response?
Why does US see this as violation of
its rights?
England impresses over 6000 US
sailors between 1808-11.
England refused to stop.
HMS Leopard v. US Chesapeake
1807
Jefferson’s Backfiring Embargo
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National Outrage and Honor required
US to do something
Pros and cons of US options.
Embargo Act (1807)
– Assumed this would quickly bring
England and France around.
Embargo
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Most people HATED it. Why?.
– New England Federalist particularly mad.
– What did they argue?.
Consequences:
– Three times more costly than war would have
been.
– Ultimately did help New England factories.
Fostered American industry.
– Ruined U.S. Shipping (merchant marine)
Federalist Cartoon?
Non-Intercourse Act
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March 1809, just before Jefferson
left office, Congress repealed the
embargo and substituted the NonIntercourse Act
Non-Intercourse Act did hurt
England, and they repealed Orders in
Council, but too late to avoid War of
1812
Embargo Divides the Nation
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1807--Congress prohibits U.S. ships from
leaving port
Purpose: to win English, French respect
for American rights
Embargo unpopular at home
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detailed government oversight of commerce
army suppresses smuggling
New England economy damaged
James Madison
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Became 4th President in 1809.
5-4, 100 lb., weak voice.
Very distinguished career:
– Cont. Congress, Congressman,
Const. Convention, Sec. of State.
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Not very successful as
President. Party broken by
factions; Madison- not a strong
leader.
Dolly Madison, first true First
Lady who acted as social
hostess.
Madison: Dupe Of Napoleon
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Macon’s Bill No. 2
– Disingenuous about trade?
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Napoleon tricks Madison into believing
France would comply. Sets US on course
antagonistic to England.
“War Hawks”
War Hawks pushing for War against
England.
– Why?
– Henry Clay; John C. Calhoun
“War Hawks”
John C. Calhoun
[SC]
Henry Clay
[KY]
War of 1812
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June 1812 militant War
Hawks get a
declaration of war from
Congress,
– very narrow vote,
signaling a dangerous
division in the country
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Federalists strongly
opposed
Dubbed it “Mr.
Madison’s War”
III. The War of 1812 and the
Transformation of Politics
C.
The Federalist Legacy
1. Marshall’s Federalist Law
2. Asserting National Supremacy
3. Upholding Vested Property Rights
4. The Diplomacy of J.Q. Adams
5. Monroe Doctrine
Battling Indians in the West
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War Hawks believed Brits
stirring up Indians in the West.
– Kentucky Problem
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Tecumseh
and the Prophet
(Tenskawatawa).
Shawnee Brothers
– Began a tribal confederacy
east of the Mississippi.
– Attacked Settlers on “their”
land.
Indian Battles
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Nov 1811 General William
Henry Harrison (9th
president) attacked
Tecumseh’s headquarters at
Tippecanoe, Indiana
1814 Andrew Jackson (7th
President) crushed Creek
Indians at Battle of
Horseshoe Bend (Alabama)
– Significance?
The Strange War of 1812:
Early Course
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Americans unprepared for war
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Congress refuses to raise wartime taxes
New England refuses to support war effort
United States Army small
state militias inadequate
1813--U.S. wins control of Great Lakes in
Battle of Put-In Bay
Strange War of 1812:
The War’s Conclusion
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1814--three-pronged English attack
– campaign from Canada to Hudson River Valley
stopped at Lake Champlain
– campaign in the Chesapeake results in
burning of Washington, siege of Baltimore
– campaign for New Orleans thwarted by
Andrew Jackson, January, 1815
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Treaty of Ghent signed December, 1814
Hartford Convention: The
Demise of the Federalists
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Federalists convene December, 1814
Proposed Constitutional changes to lessen
power of South and West
Treaty of Ghent, victory of New Orleans
makes Convention appear disloyal
Federalist party never recovers
Treaty of Ghent Ends the
War
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Most problems left unaddressed
Senate unanimously ratifies Treaty of
Ghent
Americans claim success in a "second war
of independence"
Republican Legacy
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Founders begin to pass away in 1820s
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both
die July 4, 1826
James Madison dies in 1836
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despairs that Declaration’s principles not yet
extended to African Americans
Post War of 1812
Nationalism
1816-1824
“The Era of Good
(&Bad) Feelings?”
Monroe’s Presidency :
Era of Good Feelings
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Elections of 1816 and 1820
One Party Politics
Henry Clay’s
American System
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National Bank
Protective Tariff
Federal Internal Improvements
(Transportation)
Second Bank of the United States
(2nd BUS)
The Panic of 1819
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Origins of the Panic of 1819
– Drop in American foodstuff exports
– Easy credit and speculative boom in the U.S.
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Second Bank of the United States
– Langdon Cheves
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Nationwide collapse in the economy
Rise in unemployment
Resentment against the Bank of the United
States