The Election of 1800 and the Jefferson Era

Democratic-Republicans Election of 1800 Democratic-Republicans Federalists Thomas Jefferson (VA) Aaron Burr (NY) John Adams (MA) Charles Pinckney (SC)

There is no concern for popular vote at this time Electors chosen by the state legislature meet in Philadelphia to choose president No single candidate won a majority of electoral votes Results in a tie between Jefferson and Burr The Constitution called for election to be decided by the House of Representatives Presidential Candidate Party Home State Popular Vote Electoral Vote Count Percentage Thomas Jefferson Democratic-Republican Virginia 41,330 61.4% 73 Aaron Burr New York — John Adams Federalist Mass. 25,952 38.6% 65 Charles Cotesworth Pinckney South Carolina 64 John Jay 1 Total 67,282 100.0% 276 Needed to win 70

Alexander Hamilton’s influence Hamilton still had influence among Federalist politicians He disliked both Jefferson and Burr, he distrusted Burr “Jefferson has some pretentions to character . . . Mr. Burr is one of the most unprincipled men in the United States . . . bankrupt beyond redemption.” Alexander Hamilton encouraged Federalists in the House to support Jefferson Jefferson is elected on the 36th ballot (vote) Burr becomes V.P.

Marbury vs. Madison John Adams appointed many Federalist judges between the 1800 election & Jefferson’s inauguration Adams supposedly remained at his desk until well into the night signing the commissions of the “midnight” judges. Ensured the federal gov’t would have a strong Federalist presence

Marbury vs. Madison Sect. of State James Madison was ordered to block Adams’ remaining judge commissions One of the new judges (William Marbury) was angered & asked the Supreme Court to order Madison to deliver his commission Marbury used the Judiciary Act of 1789 that set-up the court system as the basis of his lawsuit

Supreme Court’s Opinion Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall (appointed by former President John Adams) gave the court’s opinion Opinion identified which cases the Court could hear directly & this was not one of them The case should have first been heard in a lower court Marshall ruled the Judiciary Act was unconstitutional & void Established judicial review MvM=JR 1803 Judicial Review – reviewing decisions of other branches & deciding if it is constitutional

Inscribed in the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.

The West in 1800 3 European countries claimed land on the west coast Spain – California from San Diego to San Francisco Russia – Along the coast to Alaska Britain – claimed land in the region north of the 42° parallel France took Louisiana back from Spain in 1800 Spain had closed the port of New Orleans to Americans

France in 1800 Ruled by Napoleon Bonaparte Wants to colonize American territory Defeated in the West Indies and unable to invade North America To avoid hostilities, Jefferson offered to buy New Orleans since it was closed by Spain France offered to sell all of Louisiana Territory Jefferson was torn by his personal beliefs versus what could help the country

Louisiana Territory purchased from France Louisiana Purchase Doubled the size of the U.S.A. Louisiana Territory purchased from France Treaty ratified in 1803 Cost less than 5 cents/acre= $15 million Constitution said nothing about acquiring new territory Jefferson knew it was important to explore and know the land and get there first to claim borders Lewis & Clark brought on Sacagawea as a guide Asked Congress for $2,500 to fund a westward expedition Contracted Meriwether Lewis to lead He chose friend William Clark to co-lead it