Thomas Jefferson’s Presidency 1801-1809

The Beginning March 4, 1801 Thomas Jefferson is the first President inaugurated in the new capital city of Washington D.C. He delivers his first inaugural address. This address outlines what he feels are the essential principles of government.

Questions to Consider 1. What does Jefferson deem the essential principles of government? 2. Jefferson refers to the Constitution several times in his address. What does this suggest about the way he will interpret it when making decisions? 3. What does Jefferson believe will be the major issues (problems) of his presidency?

First Inaugural Address Essential Principles of Government “equal and exact justice to all men” “peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations” “the support of state governments” “the preservation of general government” punishment for those who choose to revolt compliance with the decisions of the majority

First Inaugural Address Essential Principles of Government Cont… “a well disciplined militia” honest payment of debts maintaining a sound economy proper distribution of information freedom of religion freedom of the press

Original Map can be found at: Barbary Wars May 1801 Pasha of Tripoli declares war with the United States because President Jefferson refused to make the immediate payment of $225,000 and the annual payment of $25,000. On the 20th Jefferson sent the first naval fleet to the area. The ships included the President, Philadelphia, Essex and Enterprise. Map of the Barbary Wars Original Map can be found at: http://www.mariner.org/usnavy/caption_pages/06a_BarbaryWars.htm

Original map can be found at: Barbary Wars In his first annual message, Jefferson addresses the Barbary Wars. He justifies his actions of sending a naval fleet to the Mediterranean. He also outlines the reasons the Pasha of Tripoli declared war with the United States. Map of Tripoli Original map can be found at: http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/libya/tripoli/tripoli.html

Questions to Consider 1. President Jefferson had two options when he took office, he could pay the tribute demanded by Tripoli or he could ignore the demands of the pasha and not pay the tribute. What do you think would have happened if President Jefferson had paid the tribute?

Barbary Wars 1803 – Jefferson faces much criticism for his decisions made regarding the war The Philadelphia runs aground in the Tripoli Harbor and it crew and captain are taken captive He is forced to make several command changes. 1801- Commodore Richard Dale 1802 – Commodore Richard Morris 1803 – Commodore Edward Preble Nautical Map of Tripoli Original map can be found at: http://historic-cities.huji.ac.il/libya/tripoli/maps/roux_1764_pl_55.html

Barbary Wars Realizing that there was no way to recapture the Philadelphia, Commodore Preble devises a plan to destroy the ship February 4, 1804 the Philadelphia was destroyed. August 3, 1804 the first attack against Tripoli took place when the Constitution’s guns fired on the city. September 1804 – the final battle took place in the Tripoli Harbor September 1804 – Commodore Barron arrived with backup for Commodore Preble Commodore Barron, who is senior in rank to Preble, continued the blockade and started looking for a new way to peace Shortly after Commodore Barron arrive, Commodore Preble retired June 4, 1805 after the Pasha of Tripoli had been replaced, a treaty was made with the United States and the prisoners were released.

Louisiana Purchase April 30, 1803 Robert Livingston & James Monroe signed the Louisiana Purchase Treaty in Paris The United States paid $15 million for the land, roughly 4 cents per acre The purchase added 828,00 square miles of land west of the Mississippi to the United States July 4 the Louisiana Purchase is publicly announced Original treaty can be found at: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals_iv/sections/louisiana_purchase_treaty.html

Maps of the Louisiana Purchase The original maps can be found at: http://www.washington.edu/uwired/outreach/cspn/hstaa432/lesson_4/louisiana.html

Question to Consider Was it Constitutional for Jefferson to authorize the Louisiana Purchase?

Lewis and Clark Expedition January 18, 1803 Jefferson asks Congress for funds to explore the land west of the Mississippi His goal is to find a water route to the Pacific May 1804 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark depart on the expedition Map of Lewis and Clark’s Route Original map can be found at: http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/archive/maptrack_b.html

Lewis and Clark Expedition January 18, 1803 Jefferson sends a secret message to congress regarding the Lewis and Clark Expedition In this message Jefferson asks for permission to establish trading with the Indians The original message can be found at: http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=17

Second Inaugural Address Delivered on March 4, 1805 Stresses the importance of American neutrality in matters of foreign affairs Outlines the Louisiana Purchase and the processes by which the original inhabitants of the land will become citizens of the United States Stresses the importance of harmony amongst all inhabitants of America

Questions to Consider 1. What are Jefferson's domestic goals at the time of his second inaugural address? 2. How does Jefferson plan to keep America neutral at the time of his second address?

Embargo Act of 1807 1803 - Renewal of the Napoleonic Wars between France and Great Britain America was once again trapped between the two nations Jefferson wanting to stay neutral proposed an embargo on all foreign trade This was highly unsuccessful and devastated the American Economy The Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 was put in place to repeal the unsuccessful Embargo Act

Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 In an attempt to rectify his prior mistakes, the Non-Importation and Embargo Acts, President Jefferson proposed the Non-Intercourse Act in 1809. This Act, however, did very little to ease the strains on the economy or the people.

Questions to Consider 1. How did the Embargo and Non-Intercourse Acts affect the economy of the United States?