REPUBLICAN ASCENDANCY: THE
JEFFERSONIAN VISION
America: Past and PresentChapter 8
Republican Identities in a New Republic
An age of rapid population growth– 7.2 million in 1810; two million more
than 1800– 20% black slaves– children under 16 the largest single
group
North America in 1800
Westward the Course of Empire
Intense migration to West after 1790 New States
– Kentucky--1792– Tennessee--1796– Ohio--1803
Western regional culture = rootless, optimistic
Jeffersonian Reforms
Priority to cutting federal debt, taxes Federal expenses trimmed by cutting
military Reduction of the army removes
threat to Republican government Competent bureaucrats retained
regardless of party Federalists retire from public life Ambitious Federalists become
Republicans
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Lewis and Clark Expedition commissioned prior to purchase of Louisiana
Expedition left St. Louis May 1804 and reached the Pacific Ocean November 1805
Report on Louisiana’s economic promise confirms Jefferson's desire to purchase
The Louisiana Purchase and the Route of Lewis and
Clark
The Barbary States
Jefferson’s Critics
Dispute over federal court system Conflicts between Republicans Sectional dispute over the slave
trade
Attack on the Judges: Judiciary Act
Judiciary Act of 1801 creates new circuit courts filled with loyal Federalists
1802--Jeffersonians repeal Judiciary Act of 1801 to abolish courts
Federalists charge violation of judges’ Constitutional right of tenure
Attack on the Judges: Marbury v. Madison
Marbury v. Madison (1803) rules Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional
Federalist Marbury denied his judgeship
Republicans claim victory Chief Justice John Marshall ensures
Federalist influence through judicial review
Attack on the Judges: Impeachments
1803--Federalist John Pickering impeached, removed for alcoholism, insanity
Republicans begin fearing the destruction of an independent judiciary
Jefferson exacerbates fears by seeking to impeach Federalist Samuel Chase
Republican Senate refuses to convict
Politics of Desperation:The Yazoo Controversy
Yazoo controversy – fraudulent land case in Georgia – Jefferson attempts to settle by providing
land to innocent parties– Quids complain settlement condones
fraud Fletcher v. Peck (1810)
– Marshall court upholds Jefferson’s settlement
– court may nullify unconstitutional state laws
Murder and Conspiracy: The Curious Career of
Aaron Burr Vice-President Aaron Burr breaks with
Jefferson 1804--Burr seeks Federalist support
in 1804 New York governor’s race Alexander Hamilton blocks Burr’s
efforts Burr kills Hamilton in a duel
The Burr Conspiracy
Burr flees West after Hamilton duel Schemes to invade Spanish territory Burr arrested, tried for treason John Marshall acquits on
Constitutional grounds of insufficient evidence
Precedent makes it difficult for presidents to use charge of treason as a political tool
A New Administration Goes to War
1808--James Madison elected President
1809--Embargo repealed in favor of Non-Intercourse Act– U.S. will resume trade with England and
France on promise to cease seizure of U.S. vessels
Madison reopens English trade on unconfirmed promise of British minister
English reject agreement, seize U.S. ships that opened trade with England
A New Administration Goes to War (2)
Macon’s Bill Number Two replaces the Non-Intercourse Act
Trade with both England and France reestablished
First nation to respect American rights wins halt of U.S. trade with the other
Napoleon promises to observe U.S. rights but reneges when trade reopened
The Strange War of 1812:
Early Course Americans unprepared for war
– Congress refuses to raise wartime taxes– New England refuses to support war
effort – United States Army small– state militias inadequate
1813--U.S. wins control of Great Lakes in Battle of Put-In Bay
Strange War of 1812:The War’s Conclusion
1814--three-pronged English attack – campaign from Canada to Hudson River
Valley stopped at Lake Champlain– campaign in the Chesapeake results in
burning of Washington, siege of Baltimore
– campaign for New Orleans thwarted by Andrew Jackson, January, 1815
Treaty of Ghent signed December, 1814
The War of 1812
Hartford Convention: The Demise of the
Federalists Federalists convene December, 1814 Proposed Constitutional changes to
lessen power of South and West Treaty of Ghent, victory of New
Orleans makes Convention appear disloyal
Federalist party never recovers
Treaty of Ghent Ends the War
Most problems left unaddressed Senate unanimously ratifies Treaty of
Ghent Americans claim success in a
"second war of independence"
Republican Legacy
Founders begin to pass away in 1820s
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both die July 4, 1826
James Madison dies in 1836 – despairs that Declaration’s principles
not yet extended to African Americans