Thomas Jefferson: The 3rd President

The Republican Victory -After the election of 1800 ended in a tie, the decision for the third president of the U.S. went to the House of Representatives. -This process was repeated more than 30 times. Finally, about half of the Federalists simply refused to vote for anybody. -Thomas Jefferson was finally elected President.

Marbury vs. Madison -When Jefferson took office, some Federalists chosen by Adams to serve as judges had not yet received their special commissions. -Without these forms, they could not begin working as judges. -Jefferson took advantage of this by ordering Secretary of State James Madison not to give out the papers. -William Marbury was one of the people affected by this decision. He demanded that the Supreme Court force the executive branch to hand over his commission.

Marbury vs. Madison (cont’d) -At this time, the chief justice of the U.S. was John Marshall, a Federalist who had been appointed by John Adams. Marshall & President Jefferson argued about many political issues. -When Marshall agreed to hear Marbury’s case, Jefferson protested. -The Supreme Court’s decision surprised many people, including Jefferson. -Marshall felt that the Constitution did not allow Congress to give the Supreme Court powers, such as the Judiciary Act of 1789. -Therefore, the Supreme Court did not have the power to force the federal government to give Marbury his commission. -Marshall’s ruling established the power of judicial review. This power allows the Supreme Court to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional. -As a result, the Court became a much stronger branch within the national government.

The Louisiana Purchase -U.S. leaders became suspicious of Napoleon when they learned France once again owned Louisiana. -Jefferson’s main worry was that the French could interfere with American trade if France controlled the city of New Orleans. -Jefferson wanted to keep the French from controlling New Orleans, but he did not want to start a war.

The Louisiana Purchase (cont’d) -Napoleon wanted to sell Louisiana for a number of reasons. -France was at war with England, and he did not want to fight the United States at the same time. -Instead of more territory, now Napoleon wanted money to buy supplies for his armies in Europe. -On May 2, 1803, the United States and France Signed a treaty of purchase. The final price the United States paid was about $15 million. -With the Louisiana Purchase, the size of the United States doubled.