XI. 1800 Election - Jefferson v. AdamsXI. 1800 Election - Jefferson v. Adams– Probably the ugliest election in US history – Thomas Jefferson - Republican

• Federalists felt he was a dangerous supporter of France

• An atheist bent on destroying organized religion– John Adams - Federalist

• Republicans felt he was a tool of the rich who wanted to turn the executive branch into a British style monarchy

– Jefferson wins by 8 electoral votes, but since Aaron Burr, Jefferson’s running made tied in Electoral votes, election goes to the H of R

• Jefferson Wins, Aaron Burr, Vice President

a. The Twelfth Amendment• Electors are to vote for the President separately and

the Vice President separately• Last amendment until the end of the Civil War

b. Power transfers peacefully• A peaceful transfer showed the world that the

American Republic could withstand political changec. Simplifying the Presidency

• Jefferson believed simple government best suits the needs of a republic

• Eliminated internal taxes• Reduced the influence of the Bank of the United

States• Favored free trade rather than governmental control

of trade and tariffs

d. Southern Dominance of Politics• New nation’s capital - Washington D.C.• It’s location reflected the growth of Southern

importance• Signaled the declining influence of New England

and the Federalists

XII. Federalists Lose power– Jefferson replaced many Federalists with

Republicans– As new states are formed, more citizens

become Republicans because they seem to speak for the farmer

Washington DC area prior to development

a. John Marshall and the Supreme Court• Judiciary Act of 1801; increased the number of

federal judges by 16 and Adams quickly fills the posts with Federalists (called the Midnight Judges)

• John Marshall; appointed by Adams as Chief Justice, a staunch Federalist, serves for 30 years handing down down decisions that would strengthen the Federal government and the Supreme Court

• It was not clear if the Supreme Court could declare an act of Congress unconstitutional

Chief Justice John Marshall

b. Marbury v. Madison • One of the most important decisions of all time• William Marbury (a midnight appointee) was

appointed justice of the peace in the District of Colombia and his commission, while signed and sealed, was not delivered to him

• He demanded that James Madison deliver it to him, Madison refused to hand over the commission

• The court ruled that while Marbury was entitled to his commission, the court could not order it to be handed over

• Judiciary Act of 1789; have given the court power to compel executive officials to act in such matters as the delivery of commissions

• The Decision; Congress exceeded its authority by expanding the rights of the judiciary and the legislature had no right to expand them … at all

• Ruled unconstitutional• Judicial Review; the ability of the Supreme Court to

declare an act of Congress unconstitutional - a cornerstone of American law and government

XIII. The United States Expands towards the West– Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and adjoining

territories continue to growa. The Louisiana Purchase

• Bonaparte gets the Louisiana area back from Spain and intended to use the area for the breadbasket for France - this alarms Americans

• Because of pressure at home, Bonaparte had no need to keep the area

• James Monroe and Robert Livingston close the deal for $15 million, pennies an acre.

b. Lewis and Clarke– Jefferson sends and request documents of

culture and maps– 2 years - invaluable information,

transcontinental travel was possible

The End of Part 6