The Jefferson Presidency

Do Now

In your notebooks, answer the following question:

• When, if ever, is it worth it to go against your personal beliefs ?– Please provide me with reasons as

well as an example.

The Election of 1800

• The presidential campaign of 1800 was a bitter struggle between two candidates:

John Adams, President (Federalist)Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)

The Election of 1800• Democratic-Republicans saw Adams as a tool of the rich

who wanted the Executive Branch to become an all-powerful British monarchy. – Denounced the strong centralization of federal power under

Adams's presidency.– Republicans' specifically objected to:

• The expansion of the U.S. army and navy.• The attack on individual rights in the Alien and Sedition Acts.

• Federalists saw Jefferson as a dangerous supporter of revolutionary France and an atheist who wanted to destroy organized religion.– Would bring similar bloodshed and chaos to the United States.– Feared loss of first amendment rights.

Jefferson emerged victorious!

The Election of 1800

• Electoral Deadlock-– In balloting, Jefferson defeated Adams by 8 electoral

votes.– Aaron Burr, Jefferson’s running mate, received the same

amount.• The House of Reps is called upon to choose between the two.• House takes another ballot; Hamilton persuaded enough

Federalists to cast blank votes, giving Jefferson a majority. (Hamilton: Jefferson > Burr)

– Burr became vice president.

– Revealed a flaw in the electoral process…Congress passed the 12th Amendment, calling upon electors to cast separate ballots for president and vice president.

Making Peace

• Jefferson’s Inaugural Address – key to understanding his presidency.– Important because he stressed the union of the two

political parties for a common goal – Intentions to:

• Get rid of oppositional arguments• Respect the Federalists with regard to their common goal with

the Republicans• Attempt to bring the two parties closer in a unified national

spirit.

• Jefferson appreciated the momentous change and his inaugural address called for reconciliation by declaring that,

"We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists."

Simplifying the Presidency

• Jefferson believed that a simple government best suited the needs of a republic.– Walked to his

inauguration rather than riding in a carriage

– Took off his powdered wig

– Wore work clothes and frayed slippers

How does Jefferson’s style reflect his idea of the

presidency?

Simplifying the Presidency

• Jefferson tried to shrink the government and cut costs wherever possible.– Reduced the size of the

Army– Halted the planned

expansion of the Navy– Lowered expenses for

government social functions

– HERE’S TO YOU, HAMILTON!!! • Eliminated internal taxes• Reduced the influence of the

Bank of the U.S.

Thomas Jefferson

believed that a large standing

army might lead to a

dictatorial government. As a result of his distrust in

armies, he reduced the

U.S. military to 2,500 men.

DICUSS WITH A PARTNER:

Do you agree or disagree with

Jefferson that a large army is risky?

Explain.

Southern Dominance of Politics

• First president to take office in the NEW federal capital, Washington D.C.– Its location between VA and MD

reflected the growing importance of the South in national politics.

• Pattern of southern dominance indicated the declining influence of New England and the Federalists.

Jefferson Madison Monroe (All from Virginia)

Westward Expansion Begins!

• Americans continued their westward migration across the Appalachians.– Between 1800 and 1810, Ohio’s

population grew from 45,000 to 231,000, with similar rapid growth rates in KY, TN, etc.

Louisiana Purchase

• Napoleon Bonaparte of France persuaded Spain to return to the Louisiana Territory so that France could use this land in secret.– Spain and France signed a secret treaty ceding Louisiana to

France. – France suddenly posed a potential threat to America.

• There was a fear that if America did not purchase New Orleans from France, it could lead to war—closed the port to Americans.

• Jefferson sent envoys (James Monroe and Robert Livingston) to France to try and secure New Orleans’ purchase.

• Instead, Napoleon offered to sell America the entire Louisiana Territory. – With no time to consult, Monroe and Livingston made the deal.

Louisiana Purchase

• Jefferson was not certain that this purchase was constitutional.– Jefferson is a firm believer in the strict interpretation of the

Constitution. Since the Constitution does not directly allow it, he feels it is wrong.

– However, it could help America create an “empire of liberty.”

WHAT IS AN EMPIRE OF LIBERTY?Describe to me the scene you picture in your head.

What should Jefferson do?

Weighing the Options

DON’T BUY BUY

Allows for endless

opportunities

$$ Great deal $$

Empire of Liberty!

EXPENSIVE!Have to borrow

$$

Unconstitutional?

Everything he stands for!

Jefferson and the Senate

finalized the purchase.

Louisiana PurchaseNapoleon Bonaparte, upon completion of the agreement stated,

"This accession of territory

affirms forever the power of the United

States, and I have given England a

maritime rival who sooner or

later will humble her

pride."

Importance

• The Louisiana Purchase was one of the largest land deals in history. The United States had paid approximately $15 million dollars for over 800,000 square miles of land.

YOU DO THE MATH - $15 million divided by 800,000

Each square MILE cost: $____________

• Doubled the size of America! This land deal was arguably the greatest achievement of Thomas Jefferson's presidency.

Importance

• What were the effects of Jefferson's decision to go against his own beliefs concerning a strict interpretation of the Constitution? – Jefferson wanted to simplify and decentralize the government, but

instead he expanded the power of the presidency and the central government.

– Jefferson took liberty with the Constitution in the name of necessity.• This would lead to future Presidents feeling justified to do the same.

• Jefferson should rightly be remembered for the great deed of purchasing this enormous tract of land, but do you think he regrets the means for which he earned this fame?

Lewis and Clark