1. The Country’s Greatest President

2. Like most sons of land owners, he studied land surveying Graduated from William and Mary University in Williamsburg, VA Tall, red-headed, quiet “THE TREE OF LIBERTY MUST BE REFRESHED FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE BLOOD OF PATRIOTS AND TYRANTS”

3. The government which governs least, governs best Strongly favored States Rights as opposed to a strong national government Believed in a strict construction, or strict interpretation, of the U.S.Constitution Wanted to end all taxes of any kind paid by U.S. citizens

4. Wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence Wrote the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom Created the University of Virginia Served as an ambassador to Europe from the United States

5. Democratic-Republican Candidates: Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr

6. Federalist Candidates: John Adams and Charles C. Pinckney

7. Adams would have won re-election, perhaps easily, had Alexander Hamilton not split the Federalist Party

8. Instead, the Democratic-Republicans won the election Both winning candidates, Jefferson and Burr, received 73 electoral votes Election was settled the House of Representatives after 35 votes Hamilton swings the election to Jefferson and angers Burr

9. The election pointed out the need for a Constitutional amendment regarding the Presidential election process. The 12 th Amendment modified the Constitution so that the President and the Vice-President are elected using separate ballots.

10. John Adams, the 1 st President to live in Washington, D.C., leaves before Jefferson’s inauguration Jefferson’s Inauguration takes place on March 4, 1801 in Washington, D.C.—the 1 st done there The unfinished White House and Capitol were just about the only buildings in town

11. Federalists fear what Jefferson will say—will he start a new revolution? Jefferson, surprisingly, calls for unity—he states “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists.” Jefferson DOES NOT propose to change or destroy the structure of the federal government.

12. Appointed Albert Gallatin as Secretary of the Treasury Cut military spending Reduced the army from 4000 to 2500 men Reduced the navy from 25 to 7 ships Reduced national debt from $83 million to $45 million Cut ALL internal taxes

13. Only source of government income: tariffs and sales of Western land Let the Alien and Sedition Acts expire – had addressed his disagreements with these Acts in the VA & KY Resolutions – believed that STATES had the RIGHT to NULLIFY Federal laws

14. Marbury vs. Madison: Does William Marbury, one of John Adams’ last minute “midnight judges,” receive his commission to be judge or not? Jefferson had James Madison refuse to give the commission to Marbury Issue went before the Supreme Court – Chief Justice was JOHN MARSHALL – Jefferson’s cousin FEDERALIST – detested Jefferson Wanted to strengthen his branch of the Federal Government (JUDICIAL) Ruling became a precedent—an example for future court cases Supreme Court declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 UNCONSTITUTIONAL – stated that the SUPREME COURT did not have jurisdiction in this case Established the principle of JUDICIAL REVIEW

15. With Marbury vs. Madison, the Supreme Court established the concept of “Judicial Review” of laws Judicial Review means that the Court may decide if a law is constitutional or not. If a law is judged to be unconstitutional, or goes against the U.S. Constitution, then the law ceases to be a law.

16. By 1800, the western boundary of the U.S. was the Mississippi. The Louisiana Territory, that is all lands west of the Mississippi River which drained into the river, was originally controlled by France. As part of losing the French-Indian War, France ceded, or gave, the Louisiana Territory to Spain

17. The Louisiana Territory continued to be controlled by Spain until 1800. A war fought in Europe between Spain and France ended with a victory for Napoleon and the French. Secretly, the Louisiana Territory was transferred from Spain to France as a result of that European war.

18. Jefferson learned that Louisiana Territory was now controlled by France French ownership of the Louisiana Territory posed several problems for the U.S.—mainly the French were popular with the Indians and the French presence blocked any sort of westward movement by U.S. citizens into the Louisiana Territory French dictator at the time was NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. His motive – to RULE THE WORLD!!!! Major problem for America since Jefferson had already scaled back the US military under his presidency.

19. The other major problem involved the city of New Orleans. New Orleans controlled all river trade. River trade came from not only the Louisiana Territory, but also from the United States. If France decided to close the city of New Orleans to U.S. trade, then the U.S. would suffer great economic hardship.

20. Jefferson realized the problems involved with France owning the Louisiana Territory. Jefferson sends Robert Livingston and James Monroe to buy New Orleans and West Florida for $2 million from France. Livingston and Monroe may spend UP to $10 million.

21. Napoleon experiences slave rebellion trouble in the French colony of Saint Domingue located in the Caribbean. T’oussaint L’Overture and slaves revolt and defeat a major French detachment in Haiti. He is known as the “Black Napoleon” Napoleon abandons his desire to “RULE THE WORLD” – sets his sights on Europe instead. Napoleon also needs money for another war with Great Britain. He decides to sell ALL of the Louisiana Territory. His price: $15 million.

22. Despite being more money and more land than expected, both Livingston and Monroe quickly agree to the deal. The deal poses a personal problem for Jefferson— is this real estate deal an example of strict interpretation of the US Constitution? Does the Constitution give the government the power to buy land? Is this small government? Still, Jefferson agrees to the deal. Congress debates the issue—lots of money involved—still, they agree to it.

24. For a variety of reasons, Jefferson decides to send a military expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory. Jefferson’s personal secretary, Captain Meriwether Lewis, is placed in charge of the expedition. The men on this expediton are called the Corps of Discovery. Lewis was to explore the territory, map it, find a water route to the Pacific, make friends with the Native Americans, and drive out all French and/or British traders if possible. Meriwether Lewis

25. Lewis selects Lt. William Clark as a co- commander. The army refuses to recognize co-commanders so Clark remains a lieutenant. The men of the Corps of Discovery are told that Clark is a Captain and a co- commander of the expedition. Lewis and Clark, along with the other members of the Corps of Discovery, depart St. Louis on May 14, 1804 and travels upriver. They stop for the winter of 1805 in the Mandan villages and create Fort Mandan. William Clark

26. At Fort Mandan, Lewis and Clark hire the French trader Toussaint Charbonneau as an interpreter and guide. The true prize was Charbonneau’s 2 nd wife, Sacagawea and Sacagawea’s newborn infant son. Charbonneau proves useless. Sacagawea, while not a guide, does prove helpful: no war party would travel with a woman and young child. Sacagawea’s presence eases tensions between Corps of Discovery and the Indians.

27. The Corps of Discovery reach the Pacific Ocean on November 7, 1805. Clark writes: “Ocean in view! O! The joy!” The first American vote involving an African-American (York), a female (Sacagawea), and men of several different nationalities takes place to decide where to stay for the winter. The Corps of Discovery create Fort Clatsop and spend the 1806 winter on the Pacific coast. They experience problems with the natives.

28. The journey becomes a race down the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark arrive in St. Louis on September 23, 1806. They traveled almost 8,000 miles along the journey. They mapped the entire distance using “line of sight” approximations. They were off by only 4 miles.

29. Zebulon Pike also explores the western territory. Pike reaches the Colorado area and finds the mountain which now bears his name: Pike’s Peak. Pike then moves south into the Spanish territories which eventually become Texas and Mexico.

30. By 1804, Jefferson was an unquestioned success as a President. However he faced scandalous rumors of an amorous affair with his slave girl, Sally Hemings during the campaign. The rumor gradually died and he was easily reelected. (1990’s DNA testing confirmed mixed descendants of Thomas Jefferson) Burr decided to run for governor of New York. Hamilton criticized Burr; Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel; Burr shoots and kills Hamilton. Burr’s term as Vice President was not quite over at the time of the duel.

31. Pirates from the Barbary Coast States in the Mediterranean Sea demand tribute ($$ that allows America to sail and trade – RESPECT) from U.S. trade ships. Jefferson refuses to pay the tribute The Barbary pirates from Tripoli declare war on the U.S. Jefferson does not want to fight; instead, he orders a blockade of the port of Tripoli. Undeclared “War”

32. The blockade eventually works. The U.S. forces the pirates to sign a peace treaty which ends all tribute payments. The military action is popular in the U.S., but shows the need for a U.S. navy. Jefferson puts aside his own personal problems with the government paying for a navy, and the country develops a stronger defense. Navy is made up of mostly smaller ships. (Some, docked in Savannah during a storm were deposited inland, prompting the Federalists to say “Jefferson’s Navy is the best in the world….. ON LAND!!)

33. Great Britain continues its policy of impressment. Impressment is when the British kidnap U.S. sailors and force them to work as British sailors. The impressment issue becomes a big deal with the Chesapeake- Leopard Affair in June 1807. USS Chesapeake and the British frigate Leopard -- British ship pursued, attacked, and impressed 4 British “deserters” (who were eventually hanged) and forced the surrender of the ship. Leopard fired several shots at the Chesapeake, eventually let the ship go back to the US where the captain, James Barron was court- martialed. Amped up American desire for war with Britain

34. Jefferson deals with the impressment issue by asking for an embargo, or block of trade, against both Great Britain and France. Congress passes the Embargo Act of 1807. The main victim of the law was neither Great Britain nor France—it was the U.S. merchants who could no longer trade ANY country. Called “OGRABME” or the “DAMBARGO” in the US, it was very unpopular. Will become a MAJOR CAUSE of the War of 1812.

35. The Embargo Act proves EXTREMELY unpopular and Jefferson’s popularity suffers as a result. Eventually, Congress repealed the Embargo Act and replaced it with the Non-Intercourse Act -- state American would trade with everyone EXCEPT Britain and France (which comprised 80% of US trade). The Non-Intercourse Act was no more successful than the Embargo Act. American merchants and shipowners suffered greatly. Jefferson leaves office with a loss of respect.

36. James Madison, the author of the Constitution, a Democratic- Republican, and Jefferson’s hand- picked successor becomes the next President. Madison leads the country during the War of 1812.

37. Jefferson renews his friendship with his long-term friend and political rival, John Adams. Jefferson and Adams exchange tons of letters with each other. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both die on the same day: July 4, 1826. It was the 50 th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence which both men help write. Adams quote on his death bed --- “At least Thomas Jefferson lives!!” Jefferson had actually died several hours earlier. His slaves were sold to pay off debts, however he freed 5 slaves (3 with the last name of Hemings) …… of the 10 slaves freed or allowed to leave Monticello at some point during his life or after his death, 8 had the last name of Hemings)