Chapter 6, Section 3 The Age of Jefferson

The Age of Jefferson Jefferson led the Democratic-Republicans. He won the election of 1800 and the party also took control of Congress and most of the state governments. His goal was to steer away from the things the Federalists did with the government when Washington and Adams were President.

Good Ideas Jefferson wanted to get rid of the Alien and Sedition Acts and taxes on stamps, land, and alcohol. He cut the national debt from $80 million to $57 million. He made major cuts to the army and navy. He streamlined the government’s bureaucracy Made each government department and workers more efficient. Got money for land in the west from families buying federal land.

John Marshall Chief Justice of the Supreme Court They were cousins but also political enemies. Marshall was a Federalist and had been appointed the last minute by John Adams just before he left office. He participated in more than 1,000 court decisions, writing over ½ of them, more than any of the Supreme Court Justice ever.

Marshall’s 4 Part Legacy Implemented Judicial Review. The power to review the acts of Congress and the President to determine if they were constitutional. He made sure federal laws were superior to state laws. He broadly interpreted the Constitution. Implemented “sanctity of contracts”: limited the power of state governments to interfere with business.

“Midnight Judges” Several federal judges were appointed in the last days of John Adams’ administration. They were all Federalists, it is clear that Adams hope to secure Federalist control of the courts since a DR would be President (Jefferson).

Marbury VS. Madison 1st case to assert the power of judicial review. President John Adams was about to leave office. He appointed William Marbury, a Federalist, a justice for the D.C. The incoming Secretary of State, James Madison, refused to deliver the official papers of appointment. Marbury complained to the Supreme Court. Marshall ruled in favor of Madison DR’s were happy because Marbury would not be in office.

Why this case matters? Marbury vs. Madison established the power of judicial review, ensuring that the Supreme Court had the final authority to interpret the meaning of the Constitution. It also established the judiciary branch as an equal partner in government.

The Nation Expands Jefferson considered defeating Spain in the Louisiana territory and taking it over. In 1801, France’s military dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte, had forced Spain to give him the Louisiana territory, including the strategic city of New Orleans.

The Louisiana Purchase Jefferson offered to buy the territory from the French. 1803, Jefferson obtained the 828,000 square miles for $15 million. It doubled the U.S.’s size, extending it west to the Rocky Mountains. He sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the territory in what became the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

British Impressment The British navy angered the U.S. By relying on impressment, or taking American sailors from their ships and forcing them to serve in the British navy. By 1812, about 6,000 Americans had been impressed.

Embargo The U.S. Lacked a navy large enough to challenge the British fleet. Jefferson balked at the high cost of building of bigger navy, which would undermine his policies of reducing the national debt and keeping taxes low. In an attempt to prevent a war, Jefferson persuaded Congress to declare an embargo; suspending trade by ordering American ships to stay in port. He expected the embargo to starve the British and close their factories. Instead, the British found other markets in South America. The embargo bankrupted American merchants. Jefferson lifted the embargo just before he left office.