THE TRIUMPHS AND TRAVAILS OF THE

JEFFERSONIAN REPUBLIC

In the critical presidential contest of 1800, the first in

which Federalist and Democratic-Republicans

functioned as two national parties, John Adams and

Thomas Jefferson squared off against each other.

Federalist waged a defensive struggle for strong central

government and public order. While Jeffersonians presented

themselves as guardians of agrarian purity, l iberty, and states’ r ights. This election would turn into a clear cut

choice in 1800 to a messy real ity.

INTRODUCTION

In fighting for survival, the Federalists labored under heavy handicaps. Their Alien and Sedition Acts had made a host of enemies, although most of these critics were Jeffersonians’. The Hamilton side of the Federalist Party was robbed with having a war with France, and they didn’t get along with President Adams.

Hamilton privately printed pamphlets that were secretly made public that went against the president. Jeffersonians then published the pamphlets. Another blow was the refusal of Adams to give them a rousing fight with France. War preparations swelled the public debt, and required new taxes and a stamp tax.

Federalists concentrated their fire on Jefferson himself, claiming of a long rumored affair with one of his own slaves. Also they claimed that he was an atheist.

FEDERALISTS AND REPUBLICANS MUDSLINGERS

Jefferson won by a majority of 73 electoral votes to 65. In defeat, Adams polled more electoral strength the he had gained 4 years earlier. Jeffersonian joy was dampened by an unexpected deadlock. Through a technically Jefferson, the presidential candidate, and Burr, his vice presidential running mate, received the same number of electoral votes for the presidency. This block went for several months. The deadlock was broken when a few Federalists (Hamilton Influence), refrained from voting. The election then went to Jefferson.  

Jefferson claimed that this election was called the Revolution of 1800 referring to a return to what he considered the original spirit of the Revolution . In his eyes Hamilton and Adams had betrayed the ideals of 1776 and 1787.  

Jefferson’s mission: Restore the growth of governmental power , Check the growth of governmental power , Halt the decay of virtue that had set under Federalist rule.

After a decade of division and doubt, Americans could take justifiable pride and vigor of their experiment in democracy.

THE JEFFERSONIAN REVOLUTION OF 1800

Description of Jefferson: Long Tom: Jefferson inaugurated president on March 4, 1801

in the swampy village of Washington. He was 6 feet and two and a half inches tall, with large hands and

feet, and red hair (Red Fox). He had prominent cheek bones, and spent 5 years as a minister to France. He was

fluent in French and sophisticated, and yet never

lost is human touch. On the day of his

inauguration, Jefferson walked to and from his

inauguration at the capital l ike a common citizen.

RESPONSIBILITY BREEDS MODERATION

Jefferson also did not always bother to dress up. He was a brilliant, charming conversationalist. He was an architect, educator, inventor, scientist, farmer, and philosopher. He loved books and his private library became the basis for the Library of Congress.

Jefferson tried to eliminate anything majestic about the presidency. He also believed that federal offices should be filled with men loyal to the principles and policies of his administration.

Jefferson quickly proved an able politician. He was especially effective in the informal atmosphere of a dinner party. Jefferson had to rely on his personal charm because his party was so weak jointed.

RESPONSIBILITY BREEDS MODERATION

The outset of Jefferson’s Presidency was to undo the Federalists abuses begotten by the anti-French hysteria. They hated the Alien and Sedition acts and they had expired. The Jeffersonians enacted the new naturalization law of 1802. This act reduced the naturalization law from 14 years to 5 years.

Jefferson hated the excise tax from Hamilton and persuaded Congress to repeal it. This cost the federal government about a million dollars a year in urgently needed revenue.

Except for the excise tax, Jefferson left the Hamiltonian framework essentially intact. In later years they embraced Federalism to such a degree as to recharter a bigger bank and to boost the protective tariff to higher levels.

Jefferson’s restraint pointed the way toward the 2 party systems that was later to become a characteristic feature of American politics.

JEFFERSONIAN RESTRAINT

The Judiciary Act of 1801 was the last of the important laws

passed by the Federal ists Congress. This law created 16

new federal judgeships and other judicial offices. President Adams on the last day of his presidency

signed commissions for Federal ists Midnight Judges.

This was the last Federal ist act by packing these l i fet ime posts with

ant i- Jeffersonian judges. The newly elected Republican

Congress best irred i tself to repeal the Judiciary Act of 1801.

Jeffersonians thus swept 16 benches from under the midnight

judges. James Marshall was also appointed as the chief

just ice.

THE DEAD CLUTCH OF THE JUDICIARY

-Marshall shaped the American legal tradition than any other single figure.

- His cousin was Thomas Jefferson

- Formal legal schooling had lasted only 6 weeks.

- He dominated the court with his intellect and commanding personality.

- He had served at Valley Forge during the Revolution.

-Life-long Federalist. -Strengthen the federal

government.

MARSHALL

William Marbury was one of Adams’s “midnight appointments.” His commission had not been delivered before Adams left office. James Madison, the new Sec. State, refused to hand over the commission. Marbury applied to the Supreme Court for an order directing Madison to perform his duty.

The Court ruled that Marbury had a right to his commission but the court had no authority to order Madison to deliver it. The original Judiciary Act of 1789 had given the Court the power to compel executive officials to deliver commissions, and it was on this basis that Marbury filed his suit. The Court ruled that Congress had exceeded its authority in creating the statute allowing them this power.

After this ruling, the Court was recognized as having the power to review all acts of Congress and judge whether they abide by the Constitution.

MARBURY VS. MADISON

One of Jefferson’s first actions was to reduce military to a mere

police force of 25 hundred officers and men. The navies were less to

be feared, as they could not march inland endanger liberties.

War across the Atlantic was not part of the Jeffersonian vision.

JEFFERSON, A RELUCTANT WARRIOR

France regained the title to Louisiana from Spain in 1800. Napoleon hoped that it would become the heart of a great French empire in America. This was a secret pact and rumors of the transfer of land were confirmed in 1802. Napoleon eventually gave up on this idea.

Two reasons for this failure was he had failed in his efforts to reconquer the sugar rich island of Santo Domingo for which Louisiana was to serve as a source of foodstuffs. Next was Bonaparte was about to end the 20 month lull in his deadly conflict with Britain by attempting to hold the area.

THE LOUISIANA GODSEND

Jefferson instructed Robert Livingston, U.S. Ambassador to France, to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans. Livingston proposed that the French sell all of the Louisiana territory to the U.S.

Napoleon agreed to the sale in 1803. The sale price was 80 million Francs ($15 million).

Jefferson was pleased with the terms of the bargain, but uncertain whether the U.S. had the authority to accept it. The Constitution said nothing about the acquisition of new territory. Jefferson submitted the treaties to the Senate, while admitting to his associates that the purchase was unconstitutional. The senators were less finicky than Jefferson. They registered their prompt approval of the transaction. Land-hungry Americans were not disposed to split constitutional hairs when confronted with a real estate bargain in history. 3 cents an acre.

THE LOUISIANA GODSEND

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were sent out in an expedition to explore the new territory in 1804. They reached the Oregon coast in the autumn of 1805. This two and a half year expedition yielded a rich harvest of scientific observations, maps knowledge of the Indians in this region, and half raising wilderness adventure stories.

LOUISIANA IN THE LONG VIEW

Jefferson won reelection in 1804, with 162 electoral votes to only 14 votes for his Federalist opponent.

In 1805 The Battle of Trafalgar in which the British destroyed what was left of the French Navy. France and Britain now reigned supreme in their chosen elements.

Also American shipping in the Atlantic increased dramatically. The U.S. merchant marine fleet was the envy of many nations. Napoleon chose to implement the Continental System: All British and neutral nation’s ships that had docked at British ports were barred from landing on the European Continent.

A PRECARIOUS NEUTRALITY

In response, the British put up a naval blockade of Europe. To get through the blockade, ships first had to stop at British ports. Americans were caught in between.

The British Navy used impressments to fill their ships with sailors. They also claimed the right to stop and search American ships for British deserters. If any were found they, would be reimpressed into the British Navy. Naturalized Americans were taken as well.

A PRECARIOUS NEUTRALITY

Presented by Jefferson and passed by Congress in 1807. It prohibited

American ships from sailing to any foreign port worldwide. The Embargo

caused a serious economic depression in America. Before leaving office,

Jefferson ended the Embargo. Congress then passed a law that reopened trade

with all nations except Britain and France.

THE HATED EMBARGO

Thomas Jefferson favored the nomination and election of a kindred spir it and his fr iend James Madison. James Madison was elected president, and he took the oath March 4, 1809.Conflict in the West: William

Henry Harrison Born in Virginia Was a veteran Indian fighter by

the age of 26. Congressional delegate who

advocated growth and development of western lands.

Appointed governor of Indiana Territory in 1801.

He actively worked to remove Indians from the Indiana Territory.

-He played one tribe against another, used threats, bribes, tr ickery and anything else to conclude treaties.

MADISON’S GAMBLE

Prophet: His real name was Tenskwatawa. -He was a recovered alcoholic. -He spoke against the corruption caused by white culture. -He inspired a religious revival that united many tribes. -The tribes united militari ly as well.

Tecumseh: Brother of the Prophet Was the secular leader of the tribes. In 1809, he tried to unite al l

the tribes of the Mississippi Valley. Thousands gathered at Prophetstown near the Wabash River and Tippecanoe Creek. In 1811 , Tecumseh left Prophetstown to visit other tribes. In Tecumseh’s absence, Wil l iam Henry Harrison and 1000 soldiers provoked a fight at Prophetstown.

Harrison’s force suffered heavy losses but drove the Indians off and burned the town. This engagement was known as the Battle of Tippecanoe. This battle also discredited the Prophet and made Harrison a national hero. When Tecumseh died the dream of an Indian confederacy perished.

TECUMSEH AND THE PROPHET

By the spring of 1812, Madison believed that war with Brita in was to be inevitable. The Brit ish arming of host i le Indians pushed him toward this decis ion. Above al l , Madison turned to war to restore confidence in the republ ican experiment. I f America could not fight to protect i tsel f, i ts experiment in republ icanism would be discredited in the eyes of scoffing world.  

Madison asked Congress to declare war on June 1, 1812. Congress obl iged him 2 weeks later-the first of just five t imes in al l of American history that Congress exercised this author ity. No sober American could have much reasonable hope of victory, but by 1812 the Jeffersonian Republicans saw no other choice.

MR. MADISON’S WAR