ALAN BRINKLEY, AMERICAN HISTORY 14/E Chapter 7: The Jeffersonian Era Jefferson Memorial (Kent Knudson/PhotoLink/Getty Images) Stirrings of Industrialism Stirrings of Industrialism 1. Technology in America Eli Whitney s Cotton Gin, 1793 The Cotton Gin s Impact on the North 1. Transportation Innovations > Rapid Growth of American Shipping Robert Fulton s Steamboat sailed the Hudson River in 1807. Robert Fulton (Portrait Gallery) The cotton gin (National Archives) 2. The Rising Cities & Urban Life Merchants in Boston, NY : large share of world trade. France relied heavily on American transport for its sugar Southern export of cotton generated impressive fortune for the U.S. Commercial Life in the Cities 5 Westward Course of Empire: 1800 1820 1. Intense migration to West after 1790 2. New states Kentucky 1792 Tennessee 1796 Ohio 1803 1
Native American Resistance Jefferson as President Revolution of 1800 1. Settlers bought land fraudulently from small groups of Indians who claimed they represented the entire tribe 2. Native Americans resisted. But coupled with diseases and the lack of unity, they suffered great defeat in War of 1812: Tecumseh led Shawnee; defeated in War of 1812 Populous Creek nation defeated by Andrew Jackson at Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814. 1. Jefferson s personal style Enlightenment political philosophy Did not believe only the rich have talents Wealthy southern planter. Despised ceremonies and formality Dedicated to intellectual pursuits 2. Thomas Jefferson personified the contradictions in Republicanism: Did not entirely dismantle Hamiltonian ideas. Expanded presidential power to enlarge the Union. Despised ceremonies and formality and dedicated himself to intellectual pursuits; at the same time, he was a politician to the core. Realized that his success as a president depended on close cooperation with Congress. Jefferson the President Jefferson as President 1. Ideas of a republic: small, limited government with weak central power. 2. True rulers would be citizens (white male property owners) who are bound by virtues putting public good above private interests. 3. Wanted society to remain one of small independent farmers because all government was a necessary evil at best. 4. Worried about U.S. as debtor nation. Believed it to be harmful. Also dislike banks. 5. Disliked Hamilton s desire to commercialize and centralize government and his pro British orientation We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists Jefferson as President Reforms The Rise of Cultural Nationalism 1. Repealed whiskey and other excise taxes. But left much of Hamiltonian program intact Debt assumption & funding debt at par National bank 2. Was deeply suspicious of standing armies Cut military and naval expenditures to balance budget 3. Naturalization returned to five years 4. Sedition and Alien Acts expired in 1801 and 1802 respectively 5. Easily won re election in 1804 6. Despite ability to get people to work together, he was partisan 11 2
Discussion 1. Ironically, as a result of Jefferson s attack on the judiciary, the decision in Marbury v. Madison and the failure to remove Justice Chase helped to establish the federal judiciary as a powerful and independent third branch of government. Was Jefferson justified in his attacks on the federal courts? 2. How does judicial review fit into the system of checks and balances? Jefferson and the Attack on the Judiciary 1. Jefferson hated Kings British system of government Entrenched judicial power 2. Judiciary Act of 1801 created new circuit courts filled with loyal Federalists ( midnight judges ) 3. 1802 Jefferson repealed Judiciary Act of 1801 to abolish courts and save money (Federalists charged violation of judges constitutional right of tenure) Marbury v. Madison (1803): Judicial Review Marbury v. Madison (1803): Judicial Review 1. Marbury v. Madison (1803) ruled Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional Federalist Marbury denied his judgeship Chief Justice John Marshall ensured Federalist influence through judicial review Ironically, Jefferson s attack on the Judiciary made it an even more powerful branch. Jefferson and the American West Doubling the National Domain 1. Jefferson and Napoleon Toussaint L Ouverture Napoleon s Offer 2. The Louisiana Purchase Is it constitutional? North America in 1800 3
Doubling the National Domain How Was The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 Received by the country? There is on the globe one single spot, the possessor of which is our natural and habitual enemy. It is New Orleans. T. Jefferson Exploring the Louisiana Purchase, 1804 1807 Exploring the Louisiana Purchase, 1804 1807 The Burr Conspiracy Difficulties Abroad Barbary Pirates 1. Jefferson treated Aaron Burr vindictively and Burr began to contemplate treason 2. Offered British separation of Western part of U.S. for 110,000 and support of British fleet off mouth of Mississippi British ignored but Burr proceeded Joined forces with Jefferson s appointed governor of Louisiana Territory, James Wilkinson (secretly in pay of Spanish) 1806 Burr and Wilkinson headed to New Orleans with small force Wilkinson betrayed Burr to Jefferson In partisan trial pitting Jefferson vs. Marshall, Marshall favored Burr who was acquitted Difficulties Abroad England and France Chesapeake vs. Leopard 1. 1803 England and France resumed war 2. American ships subject to seizure. Impressment of American sailors/citizens British Law: any able bodied subject could be drafted by the Royal Navy in an emergency British were high-handed and denied naturalization rights for Americans, claiming once British, always British 3. Jefferson refused war to preserve financial reform Also recognized that his military cuts had left nation illprepared for war 1. June 22, 1807: USS Chesapeake (46 gun frigate) stopped by HMS Leopard 2. When refused to hand over 4 deserters, Chesapeake was fired on and three sailors killed 3. Deserters returned and ship limped home 4. Attack was violation of international law 4
Embargo Act of 1807 Dividing the Nation Embargo Act, 1807 1. 1807 Congress prohibited all ships carrying U.S. goods to Europe 2. Purpose: to win English, French respect for American rights 3. Embargo unpopular at home > New England economy damaged Jefferson s embargo throttled thriving New England shipyards like this one, stirring bitter resentment. 1. Attempts to circumvent Smuggle goods into Canada Ship out to sea before embargo in place and not return until over Claim distress in between U.S. ports and have to land in foreign ports Juries failed to convict those charged with violating act 2. Congress finally replaced with Non Intercourse Act which forbade trade only with Britain and France, though President could restart trade with either if country stopped violating American rights The Election of 1808 28 Zoomable copy A NewAdministration Goes to War 1. 1808 James Madisonelected president 2. 1809 Embargo repealed in favor of Non Intercourse Act 3. U.S. would resume trade with England and France on promise to cease seizure of U.S. vessels 4. Britain initially promised to comply, but then later changed mind and resume seizing U.S. ships. A NewAdministration Goes to War 1. Macon s Bill Number Two replaced the Non Intercourse Act Trade with both England and France reestablished, and U.S. will continue embargo on one if the other agrees to respect American rights. Nathaniel Macon 5
A NewAdministration Goes to War 1. Napoleon promised to observe U.S. rights but reneged when tradereopened 2. Frontier people believed British were encouraging Tecumseh, but he was defeated at Battle of Tippecanoe, forcing him to turn to Britain FumblingToward Conflict Strange War of 1812 1. Congressional War Hawks demanded war with England to reestablish our national character, misunderstood and vilified at home and abroad (Andrew Jackson) 2. Henry Clay (Kentucky): An honorable cause is attainable by an efficient war.... In such a cause, with the aid of Providence, we must come out crowned with success. But if we fail, let us fail like men, lash ourselves to our gallant tars, and expire together in one common struggle, fighting for Free Trade and Seamen s Rights. (Congressional speech, 1811) 3. Madison caved in and asked Congress to declare war: Britain must respect American maritime rights. Close vote in Congress. 4. Election of 1812 showed division over war. Madison narrowly beat De Witt Clinton (anti war Republican faction) The Election of 1812 33 Discussion 1. What were the causes of the War of 1812? What role did the Indians play in the conflict? The Strange War of 1812: Early Course The Strange War of 1812: EnglishAttack, 1814 1. Americans unprepared for war Congress refused to raise wartime taxes New England refused to support war effort United States Army small State militias inadequate 2. Invading British Canada was not an easy task. Most attacks against Canada failed. 1. Campaign in the Chesapeake Washington, D.C. burned in retaliation for American burning ofyork earlier Baltimore saved by defense of Fort McHenry (inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner ) 6
The Strange War of 1812 1. British attempt to capture NewOrleans thwarted by Andrew Jackson, January, 1815 This battle should have never been fought (British and U.S. were preparing a peace treaty in Ghent, Belgium) GaveAmericans source of pride Made Jackson a national hero Discussion 1. What were the consequences of the War of 1812? The USS Constitution Hartford Convention: The Demise of the Federalists 1. Federalists convened in December, 1814 in Hartford, CT 2. Proposed constitutional changes to lessen power of the South and West Representation to be based on white males in the state. Limit ea. President to single term Require 2/3 majority: declare war, pass commercial regulations, admit new states. p228 7
Discussion Treaty of Ghent Ends the War In what way did the resolves of the Hartford Convention contribute to the demise of the Federalist party? 1. The Hartford Convention provided a platform for New England Federalist politicians, who were: angry about Jefferson s Embargo Act and the resulting economic losses they suffered angry about Madison s inaction when British troops occupied villages in Maine during the War of 1812, planning to express their disappointment with the government and to draft amendments to the Constitution that would weaken southern Republicans and advance their own interests These actions allowed Republicans to criticize this group (and Federalists in general) as disloyal citizens and advocates of secession. This characterization weakened the Federalist party and contributed to its demise. 1. Senate unanimously ratified Treaty of Ghent in 1814 2. Americans portrayed it as victory and it stimulated American nationalism. We won second war of independence. 3. Treaty of Ghent, victory of New Orleans made Federalists of the Hartford Convention appear disloyal 4. Federalist party never recovered Signing of thetreaty of Ghent., 1814 Legacy of the Republic Founders began to pass away in 1820s Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died July 4, 1826 (Video: Letters of Adams & Jefferson) Portrait of James Madison, by Gilbert Stuart (1821) James Madison died in 1836 despairing that slavery s continuation undermined the legacies of republicanism, freedom and equality. 8