The Presidency of Thomas Jefferson ( ) By the end of this lesson, students will be able to explain at least three major changes that resulted from the presidency of Thomas Jefferson.

The Election of 1800 Federalists John Adams and Charles C. Pinckney vs. Democratic Republicans Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Adams supporters claimed Jefferson was pro-French, and wanted to destroy religion. Jefferson supporters claimed Adams wanted to be king, and wanted to use the permanent army to limit their rights.

Election Results… What assumptions can be made from the data in this chart?

A Tie? What Now? At this point in history, the Constitution stated that the two candidates with the most votes would become President, and Vice President. In the event of a tie, the decision would be made by a vote in the House of Representatives.

Deadlocked in the HOR The HOR was deadlocked, and repeatedly voted in a tie. Many lawmakers became exhausted, some fell asleep at their desks, others slept between votes. On the 36 th vote, after 7 days, Thomas Jefferson would be elected the third President of the United States. This election led to the creation of the 12 th amendment.

Jefferson’s Policies Wanted to limit the powers of government. Believed that the primary functions of government should be to protect the nation from foreign threats, deliver the mail, and collect taxes. Reduced the size of the army and lowered military spending. Eliminated many domestic taxes, such as the tax on whiskey. Left the Bank of the United States intact, even though it was created by the Federalist Party. Jefferson influenced Congress to allow the Alien and Sedition Acts to expire.

Alien and Sedition Acts Recap Four bills that were passed by Congress and signed into law by President John Adams. Increased the residency requirement from 5 to 14 years for citizenship and allowed the imprisonment or deportation of any aliens considered to be “dangerous.” Restricted speech that was critical of the federal government.

Louisiana Purchase Many Americans had begun settling West, between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River. They relied heavily on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to move their products to the East coast. New Orleans, located at the mouth of the Mississippi, was a very important port. The U.S. economy relied heavily on the usage of this port.

Louisiana Purchase (Continued) Just before handing over the Louisiana Territory to France in a treaty, Spain shut down America’s access to the port. Jefferson understood the importance of the port, so he asked the ambassador to France, Robert R. Livingston to attempt to purchase the port from France. He sent James Monroe to aid Livingston.

Louisiana Territory (Green) on Modern Map

Napoleon Bonaparte During this time, the ruler of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, was at war with Great Britain. He had hopes of rebuilding a North American French Empire. These hopes were crushed by a slave revolt in the French colony of Haiti.

What a Bargain! Since France was trying to fund a war against Britain, and had a need for money to fuel their war, when Livingston tried to buy New Orleans, the French foreign minister offered to sell America the entire Louisiana territory for 15 million dollars! Less than 3 cents per acre.

Jefferson’s Dilemma ;( This news was pleasing to Jefferson, but as a strict constructionist, Jefferson had a difficult choice to make. Since the Constitution did not clearly state anything about the acquisition of land, Jefferson would look hypocritical moving forward with the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson agreed to make the purchase under the belief that it was what was best for the country.

America the…Bigger! On October 20 th, 1803, the Senate approved the Louisiana Purchase agreement, which almost doubled the size of the United States.