1. Thomas Jefferson’s Presidency

2. 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.

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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:

7. 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:

8. 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?

9. 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:

10. 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.

11. 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:

12. Maps of the Louisiana Purchase
The original maps can be found at:

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

14. 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:

15. 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:

16. 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

17. 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?

18. Embargo Act of 1807
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

19. 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.

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