Chapter 7: The Age of Jefferson (1800-1816) Nancy Yang

Argument Although significant domestic gains characterized Jefferson’s first term, his second term and James Madison’s presidency were primarily dominated by foreign issues that led to economic failures and divided feelings within America.

Jefferson’s Presidency 1800-1808 Democratic-Republican believed in a limited central government kept national bank and dept-repayment plan that Hamilton established because he wanted to maintain good relations with opposing party: Federalists hoped to make America into an agrarian society of independent farmers leads to the Louisiana Purchase

Jefferson’s Domestic Reforms Jefferson’s first term was primarily focused on domestic interests and issues. Louisiana Purchase (1803) Reasons for purchase: valuable trading ports in New Orleans unrestricted access to trade routes along Mississippi and Missouri rivers enlarges the United States to help further Jefferson’s dreams of a society of farmers rather than industrialists (more farm land for settlers) removes presence and control of foreign powers within the United States keeps United States from getting entangled in European affairs

Jefferson’s Domestic Reforms (cont.) purchased for $15 million dollars through negotiations with France, who sought funds to fight war with Britain increased Jefferson’s popularity (although presidents did not have the power to purchase lands) lead to Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1806): helped to develop maps for fur trappers and future western settlers, increased knowledge of unexplored western lands, and led to improved relations with Native Americans living in the west Marbury v. Madison (1803): ruled by John Marshall Jefferson wanted to get rid of “midnight appointments” (midnight judges) made by former president, John Adams

Jefferson’s Domestic Reforms (cont.) Jefferson kept Secretary of State James Madison from delivering commissions William Marbury, one of Adam’s “midnight appointments,” sued for his commission Case results: Marbury had right to commissions under Judiciary Review of 1789 Judiciary Review of 1789: unconstitutional, Marbury not given commission Judicial Review established The Louisiana Purchase and the establishment of judicial review were significant gains in Jefferson’ s presidency that have improved the U.S. and continue to exist; however, aside from these two gains, the early 1800’s experienced little domestic advancement.

Jefferson’s Foreign affairs Jefferson’s foreign policies were not as successful as his domestic policies and ultimately lead to increased hostility and weakened trade between the U.S. and Britain. Barbary Pirates: Jefferson refused to pay high sums, demanded by the pirates, to ensure safety of U.S. ships sailing in the Mediterranean sends naval vessels to fight pirates, fighting lasts 4 years (1801-1805), no victory for either sides British and impressment of U.S. sailors Napoleonic Wars: caused naval blockades of enemy ports (decreased U.S. trade) and regular seizing of U.S. ships and cargo

Jefferson’s Foreign affairs (cont.) Chesapeake-Leopard affair (1807): off coast of VA, British warship Leopard fires on U.S. warship Chesapeake and leads to 3 Americans killed and 4 taken captive for impressment anti-British sentiment increases in Americans Jefferson takes no real action Embargo Act (1807): prohibits U.S. merchants from sailing to or trading in foreign ports intended to harm Britain; instead, brings economic depression onto U.S. merchants repealed in 1809, but still no trade with Britain or France

Madison’s Presidency War of 1812: 1808-1816; Democratic-Republican Failed to regain trade with Britain and France: Nonintercourse Act of 1809 Macon’s Bill No. 2 (1810) War of 1812: Causes: continued impressment of U.S. sailors by British ships western settlers’ interests in British Canada and Spanish Florida lack of trade with European countries due to ongoing war between Britain and France British support of Native American revolts against settlers on the western frontier (ex. Battle of Tippecanoe – 1811) America sides with France due to remembrance of Britain’s cruel treatment towards colonies before and during the American Revolution

Madison’s Presidency (cont.) Battles: Invasion of Canada (1812-1813) fuels British hatred of U.S 1812 – U.S. warship Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) sinks British ship raises U.S. morale Spring of 1814 – British forces defeat France and increase forces in U.S. American victories: Battle at Lake Erie (1813) Battle of Thames River (1813) Battle at Lake Champlain (1814) Battle of Horseshoe Bend (March 1814) Battle of New Orleans (1815) Treaty of Ghent (Dec. 24, 1814) ended War of 1812 with stalemate and no gains for either side

Divided Feelings towards the War Anti-War: called war “Mr. Madison’s War” believed war threatened U.S. trade and foreign relations New England Merchants: unhappy with the decrease in ship manufacturing and trade caused by the war “Quids” or “Old Republicans”: criticized war as violation of classic Republican commitment to limited federal power and maintenance of peace radical Federalists saw war as Republican attempt to increase voting strength Hartford Convention (Dec. 1814) ultimately weakened Federalists

Anti-War Sentiment

Divided Feelings towards the War Pro-War: War Hawks argued for war with Britain to protect U.S. honor, gain Canada, and weaken Native American resistance in the west “ What, Mr. Speaker, are we called on to decide? It is whether we will resist by force the attempt, made by that Government [Britain], to subject our maritime rights to arbitrary and capricious rule of her will; for my part I am not prepared to say that this country shall submit to have her commerce interdicted or regulated, by any foreign nation. Sir, I prefer war to submission.” - Felix Grundy