Jeffersonian America Jeffersonian Philosophy and establishment of Judicial Review

Thomas Jefferson was more than just a lawyer and politicianThomas Jefferson was more than just a lawyer and politician He was an avocational architect, a skilled violinist, amateur scientist, avid horseman and a voracious readerHe was an avocational architect, a skilled violinist, amateur scientist, avid horseman and a voracious reader Jefferson advised the designers of the city of Washington, D.C. and created his home, Monticello, in VirginiaJefferson advised the designers of the city of Washington, D.C. and created his home, Monticello, in Virginia A Renaissance Man – The Sage of Monticello

Jefferson’s Contradictions He was born into wealth and privilege yet he championed the rule by virtue and merit and the life of small farmersHe was born into wealth and privilege yet he championed the rule by virtue and merit and the life of small farmers Thomas Jefferson was a wealthy planter that owned many slaves yet wrote that “all men are created equal”Thomas Jefferson was a wealthy planter that owned many slaves yet wrote that “all men are created equal” Although many southern leaders freed their slaves upon their death, Jefferson did notAlthough many southern leaders freed their slaves upon their death, Jefferson did not

Jeffersonian Ideals Jefferson was convinced of that the future of America rested in the creation of a nation of small independent farmersJefferson was convinced of that the future of America rested in the creation of a nation of small independent farmers He believed an agrarian population would better support the ideals of a democratic and republican governmentHe believed an agrarian population would better support the ideals of a democratic and republican government Jefferson feared the result of Americans crowding into cities as had happened in EuropeJefferson feared the result of Americans crowding into cities as had happened in Europe

Undoing Federalist Policies Jefferson and the Democratic Republicans believed the federal government should have less powerJefferson and the Democratic Republicans believed the federal government should have less power Allowed Alien and Sedition Acts to expireAllowed Alien and Sedition Acts to expire ▫Freed people convicted under the acts Abolished many taxesAbolished many taxes ▫Including the Whiskey Tax Reduced the size of the militaryReduced the size of the military Reduced national debt using money from tariffs and land salesReduced national debt using money from tariffs and land sales

John Adams used this act to appoint as many federalist judges as he could between the election of 1800 and Jefferson’s inaugurationJohn Adams used this act to appoint as many federalist judges as he could between the election of 1800 and Jefferson’s inauguration Adams supposedly remained at his desk until well into the night signing the commissions of the “midnight” judges.Adams supposedly remained at his desk until well into the night signing the commissions of the “midnight” judges. Packed the courts full of federalist judges who would serve for lifePacked the courts full of federalist judges who would serve for life Adams also appointed a new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall, a cousin of Thomas Jefferson and a lifelong Federalist, committed to strengthening the federal government.Adams also appointed a new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall, a cousin of Thomas Jefferson and a lifelong Federalist, committed to strengthening the federal government. Adams and the Midnight Judges – The Judiciary Act of 1801

Jefferson told Secretary of State James Madison not to deliver Adams’ remaining judge commissions One of the new judges (William Marbury) was angered & asked the Supreme Court to order Madison to deliver his comission 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 opinionSupreme 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 themOpinion 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 of 1789 was unconstitutional and voidMarshall ruled the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional and void Established judicial reviewEstablished judicial review Judicial Review – reviewing decisions of other branches and deciding it is constitutional

Quote inscribed on the wall of the Supreme Court building - Washington, D.C.