1. Chapter 7: The Age of Jefferson (1800-1816)
Nancy Yang

2. Argument
Although significant domestic gains characterized Jefferson’s first term, his second term and James Madison’s presidency were primarily dominated by foreign issues that led to economic failures and divided feelings within America.

3. Jefferson’s Presidency
Democratic-Republican
believed in a limited central government
kept national bank and dept-repayment plan that Hamilton established because he wanted to maintain good relations with opposing party: Federalists
hoped to make America into an agrarian society of independent farmers
leads to the Louisiana Purchase

4. Jefferson’s Domestic Reforms
Jefferson’s first term was primarily focused on domestic interests and issues.
Louisiana Purchase (1803)
Reasons for purchase:
valuable trading ports in New Orleans
unrestricted access to trade routes along Mississippi and Missouri rivers
enlarges the United States to help further Jefferson’s dreams of a society of farmers rather than industrialists (more farm land for settlers)
removes presence and control of foreign powers within the United States
keeps United States from getting entangled in European affairs

5. Jefferson’s Domestic Reforms (cont.)
purchased for $15 million dollars through negotiations with France, who sought funds to fight war with Britain
increased Jefferson’s popularity (although presidents did not have the power to purchase lands)
lead to Lewis and Clark expedition ( ): helped to develop maps for fur trappers and future western settlers, increased knowledge of unexplored western lands, and led to improved relations with Native Americans living in the west
Marbury v. Madison (1803):
ruled by John Marshall
Jefferson wanted to get rid of “midnight appointments” (midnight judges) made by former president, John Adams

6. Jefferson’s Domestic Reforms (cont.)
Jefferson kept Secretary of State James Madison from delivering commissions
William Marbury, one of Adam’s “midnight appointments,” sued for his commission
Case results:
Marbury had right to commissions under Judiciary Review of 1789
Judiciary Review of 1789: unconstitutional, Marbury not given commission
Judicial Review established
The Louisiana Purchase and the establishment of judicial review were significant gains in Jefferson’ s presidency that have improved the U.S. and continue to exist; however, aside from these two gains, the early 1800’s experienced little domestic advancement.

7. Jefferson’s Foreign affairs
Jefferson’s foreign policies were not as successful as his domestic policies and ultimately lead to increased hostility and weakened trade between the U.S. and Britain.
Barbary Pirates: Jefferson refused to pay high sums, demanded by the pirates, to ensure safety of U.S. ships sailing in the Mediterranean
sends naval vessels to fight pirates, fighting lasts 4 years ( ), no victory for either sides
British and impressment of U.S. sailors
Napoleonic Wars: caused naval blockades of enemy ports (decreased U.S. trade) and regular seizing of U.S. ships and cargo

8. Jefferson’s Foreign affairs (cont.)
Chesapeake-Leopard affair (1807): off coast of VA, British warship Leopard fires on U.S. warship Chesapeake and leads to 3 Americans killed and 4 taken captive for impressment
anti-British sentiment increases in Americans
Jefferson takes no real action
Embargo Act (1807): prohibits U.S. merchants from sailing to or trading in foreign ports
intended to harm Britain; instead, brings economic depression onto U.S. merchants
repealed in 1809, but still no trade with Britain or France

10. Madison’s Presidency War of 1812: 1808-1816; Democratic-Republican
Failed to regain trade with Britain and France:
Nonintercourse Act of 1809
Macon’s Bill No. 2 (1810)
War of 1812:
Causes:
continued impressment of U.S. sailors by British ships
western settlers’ interests in British Canada and Spanish Florida
lack of trade with European countries due to ongoing war between Britain and France
British support of Native American revolts against settlers on the western frontier (ex. Battle of Tippecanoe – 1811)
America sides with France due to remembrance of Britain’s cruel treatment towards colonies before and during the American Revolution

11. Madison’s Presidency (cont.)
Battles:
Invasion of Canada ( ) fuels British hatred of U.S
1812 – U.S. warship Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) sinks British ship
raises U.S. morale
Spring of 1814 – British forces defeat France and increase forces in U.S.
American victories:
Battle at Lake Erie (1813)
Battle of Thames River (1813)
Battle at Lake Champlain (1814)
Battle of Horseshoe Bend (March 1814)
Battle of New Orleans (1815)
Treaty of Ghent (Dec. 24, 1814) ended War of 1812 with stalemate and no gains for either side

12. Divided Feelings towards the War
Anti-War:
called war “Mr. Madison’s War”
believed war threatened U.S. trade and foreign relations
New England Merchants: unhappy with the decrease in ship manufacturing and trade caused by the war
“Quids” or “Old Republicans”: criticized war as violation of classic Republican commitment to limited federal power and maintenance of peace
radical Federalists saw war as Republican attempt to increase voting strength
Hartford Convention (Dec. 1814)
ultimately weakened Federalists

13. Anti-War Sentiment

14. Divided Feelings towards the War
Pro-War:
War Hawks
argued for war with Britain to protect U.S. honor, gain Canada, and weaken Native American resistance in the west
“ What, Mr. Speaker, are we called on to decide? It is whether we will resist by force the attempt, made by that Government [Britain], to subject our maritime rights to arbitrary and capricious rule of her will; for my part I am not prepared to say that this country shall submit to have her commerce interdicted or regulated, by any foreign nation. Sir, I prefer war to submission.”
- Felix Grundy