I.
Jefferson Becomes President
A. Thomas Jefferson’s election began a new era in American government.
1. The election of 1800 marked the first peaceful transition in power from
one political party to another.
2. President Jefferson’s beliefs about the federal government were reflected
in his policies.
3. Marbury v. Madison increased the power of the judicial branch of
government.
B. The election of 1800 marked the first peaceful transition in power from
one political party to another.
1. Federalists John Adams and Charles C. Pinckney ran against DemocraticRepublicans Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
2. Jefferson and Burr tied, with 73 electoral votes each.
3. The House broke the tie by selecting Jefferson to be president; Burr
became vice president.
4. The tie led to the passage of the Twelfth Amendment, which provided for
a separate ballot for president and vice president in the next election.
C. Parties and Beliefs
1. Adams and the Federalists
a. Rule by the wealthy class
b. Strong federal government
c. Emphasis on manufacturing
d. Loose interpretation of the Constitution
e. British alliance
2. Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans
a. Rule by the people
b. Strong state governments
c. Emphasis on agriculture
d. Strict interpretation of the Constitution
e. French alliance
D. President Jefferson’s beliefs about the federal government were reflected in his
policies.
1. Democratic-Republican–controlled Congress helped put his republican
ideas into practice.
a. Allowed the hated Alien and Sedition Acts to expire
b. Lowered military spending
c. Got rid of domestic taxes
2. Believed main functions of federal government included,
a. Protecting the nation from foreign threats
b. Delivering mail
c. Collecting customs duties
3. Kept some Federalist ideas, like Bank of the United States
E. Marbury v. Madison increased the power of the judicial branch of government.
1. Background
a. William Marbury appointed justice of peace by President Adams
just before he left office.
b. Marbury’s commission was not delivered; Jefferson took office.
c. Marbury sued Jefferson administration to get his commission.
2. Supreme Court Ruling
a. The law Marbury based his claim on was unconstitutional—
Judiciary Act of 1789.
b. The Supreme Court ruled that, according to the Constitution, they
did not hear cases like this one; thus, the law that Marbury used
was unconstitutional.
F. Importance of Judicial Review
1. Chief Justice John Marshall wrote Court’s opinion in Marbury v.
Madison.
2. Ruling established judicial review—Court’s power to declare an act of
Congress unconstitutional.
3. This ruling made judicial branch equal to other two branches of
government.