1. American History I Adams, Jefferson, and Monroe 1800-1825
NCFE Review

2. The Formation of Political Parties
Two political parties formed in response to the debate over the way to interpret the Constitution:
Strict interpretation: the government should only do what the Constitution specifically states it can do (i.e. raise an army)
Loose interpretation: the government can take reasonable actions that are not outlined in the Constitution as long as they are not prohibited (“necessary and proper”)
Federalists:
Strong central government
Loose interpretation of the Constitution
Aid business, create national bank, support high tariffs
Northern business owners and large landowners
Led by Alexander Hamilton
Democratic Republicans:
States should be more powerful than the federal government
Strict interpretation of the Constitution
Favor agriculture, oppose national bank, oppose tariffs
Skilled workers, small famers, plantation owners
Led by Jefferson

3. XYZ Affair
John Adams became the second President of the United States. He was a federalist.
The French and the British were at war with one another over the French Revolution. They were trying to pull the American’s in on their side.
French warships and privateers were seizing American merchant ships.
In an effort to negotiate peace Adams sent American diplomats to France to negotiate with the French ministers who became known as X, Y, and Z (because their names were never revealed).
X, Y, and Z demanded bribes in exchange for peace – made Americans very angry and they refused.
Adams sent new diplomats to negotiate peace and they were able to make an agreement without war.
Became known as the XYZ Affair.

4. Adam’s Domestic Policies
Alien and Sedition Acts
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed to ‘protect’ the US from foreign enemies by raising residency requirements for citizenship and allowing for the fining and jailing of those criticizing the government.
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions claimed the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional and said states could nullify them.
Created a crisis over who held more power – the states or the central government?

5. Jeffersonian Democracy
Thomas Jefferson won the presidency of 1800 and the Democratic Republicans.
Many referred to the election as a revolution because the Federalist party that had been in power peacefully gave up power after losing the election.

6. Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson wanted to gain the port of New Orleans in order to increase trade in the western part of the United States.
Jefferson purchase Louisiana from Napoleon in exchange for $15 million, became known as the Louisiana Purchase.
The purchase violated Jefferson’s belief in a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
Louisiana Purchase more than doubled the size of the United States.

7. Marbury v. Madison
The Judiciary Act of 1801 added new judge positions to the Supreme Court
Federalists tried to appoint as many Federalists to the courts to maintain influence
John Adams appointed many on his last day as President
Some of the papers were not delivered in time and Jefferson’s Secretary of State James Madison refused to deliver them
One appointee, William Marbury, asked the Supreme Court to order Madison to deliver the commission
In the case Marbury v. Madison Chief Justice John Marshall ruled Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional
Established the Supreme Court’s right of judicial review the right to declare state and federal laws unconstitutional

8. War of 1812
The United States found itself in the middle of the war between the British and the French.
The United States had declared itself neutral and tried to trade with both nations.
The British began seizing American ships heading for France and forcing the sailors into impressment, or forcing them to serve in the British navy.
The British were also aiding Native Americans who were attacking Americans in the West.
Jefferson responded to British impressment with the Embargo Act of 1807 ending all American trade.
A group of politicians in Congress called the War Hawks encouraged Congress to declare war on the British.
The Americans and the British signed the Treaty of Ghent in which no territory changed hands but America proved itself as a strong military nation.

9. Clay’s American System
Henry Clay, a leader in Congress, suggested policies that would unify the country. He called it The American System.
Four Parts:
Tariff to protect American industries
Sell government lands to raise money for national government
Maintenance of the national bank
Government funding of internal improvements or public projects
Never implemented as a unified policy, but did establish tariffs and a bank.

10. The Presidency of James Monroe
James Monroe became the 4th president of the United States.
His presidency became known as “the Era of Good Feeling”
The economy grew rapidly
Spirit of nationalism and optimism prevailed
Adams-Onis Treaty (1819)
US acquired Florida and established firm boundary between Louisiana territory and Spanish territory
James Monroe also established the Monroe Doctrine stating that US would view any European attempts to further colonize the Americas “as dangerous to our peace and safety.”
US will not “interfere in the internal concerns” of Europe.

11. Missouri Compromise
Missouri (MO) territory applied to join the Union as slave state
The Missouri Compromise settled the first major conflict over slavery.
Missouri was admitted as slave state, Maine admitted as free state.
Banned slavery in northern part of Louisiana Territory (36º 30’ N)