Jeffersonian Era

Jefferson’s Policies Jefferson Had strong ideas on how to make the U.S. a success. He believed its strength was in its independent farmers. As long as most people owned property, they would fight to protect it and preserve the Republic.

Jefferson’s Policies Jefferson favored expanding the nation westward to acquire new land. He believed government should be small. He distrusted standing armies & wanted to reduce the size of the military.

Jefferson’s Cabinet Jefferson surrounded himself with men who shared his political ideas. Secretary of State- James Madison Secretary of the Treasury- Albert Gallatin

Jefferson’s Cabinet Secretary of War- Henry Dearborne Attorney general- Levi lincoln Secretary of the Navy- Benjamin Stoddert. The new government would end 2 unpopular Federalists measures: The Alien & Sedition Act The Naturalization Act

Cutting Costs Jefferson & Gallatin aimed to reduce the debt left by the Federalists. They cut the army by 1/3 Reduced the Navy from 25 ships to 7 ships.

Cutting Costs They persuaded Congress to cut all Federal internal taxes, included the hated Whiskey Tax. Taxes would only come from custom duties- taxes on imported goods.

Cutting Costs Jefferson thought the national government should be limited to delivering mail, collecting custom duties, and conducting a census every 10 years.

Jefferson & the Courts Bitter feelings between Federalists and Republicans continues in Jefferson’s administration. Much came from fights over the Federal Courts.

Jefferson & the Courts Before Jefferson took office the Federalists past the Judiciary Act of 1801. The act set up regional courts with 16 judges & many other officials.

Jefferson & the Courts In Adams last days of his presidency he appointed hundreds to these newly created positions and the Federalist controlled Congress approved them.

Jefferson & the Courts Adams also asked John Marshal, then Secretary of State, to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. By these actions, this shut Jefferson out of the appointment process. It ensured the Federalists would control the Courts.

Jefferson & the Courts Adams & Marshal worked around the clock in the final hours processing these appointments. The appointments could not take effect until the last minute papers had been delivered.

Jefferson & the Courts When Jefferson took office, a few of the papers had not been delivered. He told sec. of State Madison not to deliver them. One commission was delivered to William Marbury.

Marbury vs Madison To force delivery of his commission, Marbury took his case directly to the Supreme Court. Marbury claimed the SCOTUS had jurisdiction as a result of the Judiciary Act of 1789.

Marbury vs Madison Justice John Marshall wrote an opinion turning down Marbury’s claim. He noted that the constitution did not give the SCOTUS jurisdiction to decide the Marbury case.

Marbury vs Madison This case sets 3 principles of Judicial Review Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land Conflicts btx other laws & the constitution, the constitution must be followed Judicial branch has the duty to uphold the constitution; it must be able to determine when federal law conflicts with the constitution 5 Oct

McCulloch v Maryland (1819) the court held that the elastic clause allows congress to do more than what the constitution expressly authorized congress to do.

Gideon v Ogden The court held that federal law takes precedence over state law in interstate transportation PG 624