Jeffersonian
Democracy:
1801-1809
JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY:
Theme 1:
Jefferson’s effective, pragmatic
policies strengthened the principles
of two-party republican government,
even though the Jeffersonian
“revolution” caused sharp partisan
battles between Federalists and
Republicans over particular issues.
President Thomas Jefferson
1801-1809
Democratic-Republican
Presidential Rankings: C-Span Survey, 2009
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Abraham Lincoln
Franklin Roosevelt
George Washington
Theodore Roosevelt
Harry Truman
John Kennedy
Thomas Jefferson
Dwight Eisenhower
Woodrow Wilson
Ronald Reagan
Lyndon Johnson
James Polk
Andrew Jackson
James Monroe
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Bill Clinton
William McKinley
John Adams
George H.W. Bush
John Quincy Adams
James Madison
Grover Cleveland
Gerald Ford
Ulysses Grant
William Taft
Jimmy Carter
Calvin Coolidge
Richard Nixon
James Garfield
29. Zachary Taylor
30. Benjamin Harrison
31. Martin Van Buren
32. Chester Arthur
33. Rutherford Hayes
34. Herbert Hoover
35. John Tyler
36. George W. Bush
37. Millard Fillmore
38. Warren Harding
39. William Harrison
40. Franklin Pierce
41. Andrew Johnson
42. James Buchanan
The election (Revolution) of 1800
Dem-Reps did very well in elections- but for
president, neither Adams nor Jefferson received a
majority- so election goes to House of Reps, still
controlled by Federalists.
To Block Jefferson- they voted for his “running mate”
Aaron Burr (who refused to pull himself out of the
election) this went on for 35 rounds until Alexander
Hamilton put his weight behind Jefferson (irony
since they have been enemies for years) whom he
decides is lesser of two evils (Burr will eventually
challenge Hamilton to a duel where he will be fatally
wounded)
12th Amendment 1804
This VP thing has been a problem- the
idea has been to make sure the
minority had a voice, instead- it is
hampering the gov’t being able to work
well.
Changed the voting process so Pres/VP
ran on a single “ticket” you get both of
them
JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY
Federalist Era is (essentially) over. New ideals are limiting
the role of Gov’t, equality, individual liberties, faith in
the common man “The Gov’t that governs best is the
one that governs least”
Where possible, put Dem-Reps in office (despite saying
“We are all Republicans, We are all Federalists” in
inaugural speech)
Albert Gallatin (Sec of Treasury) downsized Federal
budget- cut by ½-2/3 . But kept Bank, Tariff, funding
at par which had been parts of Hamilton’s plan. Debt
fell from $80 m- $57 m, even after Louisiana Purchase
Pardoned those convicted under Alien and Sedition Acts
“The Providential
Detection”
(1797-1800)
This Federalist cartoon depicts
Jefferson about to burn the U.S.
Constitution as the American
eagle snatches it out of his hand.
Meanwhile, Jefferson has works
by Voltaire and Paine on the altar
of French Revolutionary
despotism.
John Marshall
and The Supreme Court
An Early problem for Jefferson is that Judiciary is
packed with Federalists. Judiciary Act of 1801 had
created a large number of new judges- that Adams was
still appointing on his way out the door-(“Midnight
Judges”) including John Marshall as chief justice.
Argument over “Strict” and “Loose”
Construction- how much “Interpretation” would
judges have with law?
Marbury vs. Madison, 1803
Before Being Supreme Court Justice- Marshall had been Sec
of State- it was his job to deliver appointments of
Federalist Judgeships- he didn’t get 17 (out of 59) doneleft them for new Sec of State James Madison- who
refused.
William Marbury was one of the 17- sued Madison for
withholding appointment.
Crisis- what if court ordered delivery and Madison refused?
What if Marshall was impeached by Dem-Reps?
In his opinion- Marshall said Madison was wrong to
withhold, but didn’t matter anyway- b/c Judiciary Act was
Unconstitutional. Jefferson/Madison win the battleSupreme Court wins the war b/c they establish Judicial
Review
Impeachment of Samuel
Chase
Jefferson annoyed with idea that
court now has final say over the
law. Repealed the Judiciary Actand decided to get rid of
Federalist judges where possibleStarting with Samuel Chase.
House voted charges- but Senate
refused to convict- which ended
the attempt to use impeachment
to “unpack” the courts
Samuel Chase
Supreme Court Associate Justice
Westward Expansion
1800s saw a real opening of the (mid) west- in
1790 there had been 200k, by 1820 there were
3.9 million. Best way to get good to marketdown Mississippi to New Orleans.
Pickney’s treaty gave US access- but Spanish
violating that agreement in 1800…right before
they got conquered by Napoleon…
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson sends James Monroe and Robert Livingston to
try to buy New Orleans and Mississippi from Napoleon
for $10 m. To their shock- Napoleon offers the entire
Louisiana Territory, at the Bargain price of $15 m (He
needs $$ for war, and is over Americas in general after
problems in Haiti)
Federalist Opposition
Jefferson’s dilemma: He’s a strict
constructionist- and NO Where does
the Constitution mention the power of
the president to double the size of the
country….(He thought about proposing
an amendment) Irony- the Federalists
become the Strict one- feared the added
debt….and that
The western lands would be
Loyal to Dem-Reps
The Louisiana Purchase, 1803
Significance: Most important land
U.S. History Doubled size of U.S.
purchase in
Guaranteed Mississippi waterway to Gulf of Mexico
Paved the way for westward
tragic Indian removal
expansion and
Effectively ended European expansion in North
America -- Helped reduce threats on U.S.
western frontier
Boosted American nationalism
Lewis and Clark
Jefferson commissioned
Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark to head “Corps of
Discovery” Travelled up
Mississippi- guided by
Sacajawea. Last look for NW
Passage- which they didn’t find,
but made extensive notes about
geography, flora, & fauna.
Encouraged idea of “Manifest
Destiny”
Zebulon Pike
Louisiana Purchase encouraged further
exploration, settlement and expansion. Pike
explored the headwaters of the Mississippi,
then took a lower route where he spotted the
mountain that bears his name….
Aaron Burr and Secessionist Plots (Essex Junto)
New England not happy with this larger country- they
feared they would no longer be important. VP
Aaron Burr very bitter since 1800- cooked up plot
for NE to secede from the union. Hamilton found
out and stopped the plot- Burr challenged him to a
duel, where Hamilton fatally wounded.
Burr fires his fatal shot at Hamilton
Burr removed as VP after duel. He then
take secession out west and tries to get
Louisiana to secede instead. Tried for
treason- aquitted (talking/plotting isn’t
treason) Flees to Euro where he tried to
get Napoleon to invade US.
Yazoo Land Controversy 1804
Jefferson’s opponents accused Jefferson of
supporting an illegal land transaction in Georgia.
(Georgia had sold millions of acres that were
supposed to go to federal gov’t to speculators)- and
then gov’t paid the speculators inflated prices for the
land.
Created strife and
taint of Jefferson’s
honesty during his
2nd term
Foreign Affairs
European issues had been good for US with
Louisiana Purchase, but it was hard to stay out of
affairs. US/Eng had strong trade ties, But Jefferson
was a “Francophile” and drew us closer to them
again.
Before he was president, Jefferson was often
outspoken about need for gov’t to stay small and
out of affairs…found it’s different when you’re the
guy
Barbary Pirates(1801-1805)
Jefferson initially reduced size of military (esp Navy)saying it was a waste of $$
Barbary Pirates’ “unofficially” controlled
Mediterranean shipping- expected nations to pay
tribute (we refuse). Attack U.S. shipping
-- Pasha of Tripoli declared war
on the U.S. in 1801- forcing Jefferson to
admit Navy WAS a good idea, expanded it- and
sent it to fight (small boats “mosquito fleet”)
Four years of fighting- then a treaty where US
agreed to pay $60,000 to end attacks
Lieutenant Stephen Decatur and Midshipman Thomas
Macdonough board a gunboat in Tripoli
Theme 2:
Despite his desire to avoid
international conflict, President
Jefferson was forced to deal with
foreign-policy dangers related to
the Napoleonic Wars .
Napoleonic Wars
led to harassment of U.S. shipping
By 1805, Britain controlled the seas and Napoleon
controlled much of the European Continent- BOTH put
out declarations that no one could trade with their
“Enemy” France Berlin Decree (1806)-- “Continental
System”. Order in Council (1806, 1807)
Britain began seizing American ships headed for Europeand impressing American Sailors (over 6000 taken)
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, 1807
British commander of HMS Leopard demanded
surrender of “British Deserters” aboard USS Chesapeake
INSIDE Amer territorial waters. Leopard fired on
Chesapeake, 3 k 18 wounded.
US had not been this angry since XYZ- British apologized for
“error”, but still Jefferson feels the need to act
The U.S.S. Chesapeake was attacked on June
21, 1807, resulting in three U.S. sailors dead
and eighteen wounded.
Embargo Act (1807)
Banned US vessels from sailing to foreign ports.
(thinking was that it would force England and
France to respect American Neutrality) Doesn’t
impact Fr/Eng much- Really hurt US econ- esp
New England, which was Federalist territory (they
thought Jefferson did it for spite) Illegal
trade/smuggling became common
Most controversial action of Jefferson’s presidencystorm of outcry led it’s repeal in 1809 as Jefferson
was leaving office
Harsh enforcement laws led to some talk
of secession in New England
Non-Intercourse Act (1809)
Replaced Embargo- forbid trade only with England
and France (gee- that’s 90%)
Remained policy until war of 1812
Embargo Failed- had overestimated how much Euro
depends on OUR trade. Cost 3x war
BUT (silver lining) helped spark Industrial
Revolution in US- ironic b/c Jefferson was antiindustrialization
Jefferson’s Legacy
Expansion became primary goal of Jeffersonians: an
agrarian empire (interesting, no other nation had
ever combined “expansion” and “liberty” as goals)
Creation of non-aristocratic government- retained
enormous faith in “common man”
Destruction of Federalists by 1816- in part from
Hamilton’s death, but also b/c Dem-reps showed
willingness to compromise on Federalist ideas
Kept U.S. out of war….for a while longer….
Madison and the Warhawks
James Madison won presidency easily in 1808inherited foreign affairs mess- near constant
pressure to go to war
Macon’s Bill #2: allowed trade to resume if
either England or France would lift their
trade restrictions. (France did quickly,
without intending to actually honor, Britain
was moving more slowly- so we Embargo)
Henry Clay/John C Calhoun
Congress has a new, younger group of leaders (NOT
the generation of revolution/constitution) lots of
them from South and West where population is
growing.
Henry Clay (Kentucky) Speaker of the House
John C Calhoun (South Carolina)
Ardent Nationalists- not only offended by England,
also want to move all Indians west of Mississippi, and
to take Florida from Spain
The War of 1812
Fighting actually started in Western landsand against Native Americans. Some had
“assimilated” into American society
(became farmers etc…) but there was a
growing resistance movement led by
Tecumseh
Tecumseh and his brother “The Prophet”
were calling for Creeks, Shawnees,
Cherokees, and Iroquois to “Push back
the White Menace” Called for complete
separation from whites. Americans
assume they are getting help from British
William Henry Harrison
1811 Harrison (gov of Indiana) led the
army against Indians at Battle of
Tippecanoe (last indian battle in the
Northwest) Made Harrison a hero.
When war of 1812 starts, Indians fight
with British
War hawks shouting for invasion of
Canada to expand our territory and
“Punish” British
Daniel Webster
One of the last Federalists in Congress- (from New
Hampshire) Spoke out against getting into a war with
England- said it would be bad for New England
manufacturing. New England never really supportive
of War
Why do we declare on Eng and not France?
Jeffersonians like France (and Nap is good at
schmooze) Visibility of British insults; impressment
etc… Lure of expansion and conquering Canada
(which New Eng didn’t want, it’s more agrarian lands)
Mr. Madison’s War
By Spring of 1812 war is virtually inevitable- so
Madison asks for declaration (which goes
through, but not resoundingly- New Eng
doesn’t want this) Official reason was that
Britain was violating our neutrality
Could easily have been a disaster. We were
NOT ready for a war. Our econ is a mess, we
don’t have enough officers, and Britain was
incredibly powerful (esp their navy, ours is still
a joke)
Invasion of Canada
As before- England is way more
concerned about what is going on in
Europe (Nap Wars). Americans hoped
Fr. Canadians would welcome us as
liberators. (not realizing 80% of people
in Ontario were former loyalists- we
should have focused on Montreal)
Strategy was to split Canada W/E- three
pronged invasion set off….and were
beaten back (though we did win battle
of the Thames, and Tecumseh killed
there)
Naval Battles
Main British navy couldn’t bypass Niagra
Falls, so Great Lakes became a winnable battle
ground. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry
built a fleet in the great lakes- capturing the
British “fleet” (merchant ships) in Sept 1813.
Though at same time we were getting
hammered in the Chesapeake
War in the South
By 1814 Napoleon defeated in Europe- and
Britain could focus on US. Prepared a two
pronged attack: from the North through the
Hudson Valley (we we stop at Battle of
Plattsburg, a lot like Saratoga) and Up the
Chesapeake- where the British invade and
burn Washington DC in August of 1814 (We
had burned Canadian capital at York)
Baltimore beseiged by navy (Ft McHenry)
Battle of New Orleans
General Andrew Jackson has been fighting Native
Americans on the Gulf Coast- headed west towards
New Orleans. (British want mouth of Mississippithey can then bottle up west) British went with a
foolish frontal assault- New Orleans was the largest
and bloodiest battle of the war. (2000 British
Casualties compared to 70 Americans) Irony
Americans called this “the battle that won the war”but by the time battle fought- treaty of ghent already
signed.
Made Jackson a national hero- unleashed a wave of
nationalism
Treaty of Ghent
Essentially an armistice- didn’t deal with
issues that started war (neutrality etc,
though that will become a non-issue with
Nap defeated) Both sides just agree to stop
fighting
Sometimes called “second war for
independence” b/c we proved we could
stand when threatened- European powers
saw that we were NOT a helpless fledgling
nation
Hartford Convention
A group of New England Federalists gathered to
discuss their issues/concerns with their declining
influence compared to the west.
Called for a Const. Amendment that would eliminate
3/5 clause, demand a 2/3 majority in congress to
declare war/embargo or admit states, and that you
can’t have 2 presidents in a row from the same state.
Presented their findings just as tidings from battle of
New Orleans coming in….