The Republicans Take Power: Chapter 6, Section 1 Political ideas and major events shape how people form governments. The election of 1800 marked the transfer of power from one political party to another through a democratic election.
Jefferson Becomes President The Election of 1800 showed that power in the US could be peacefully transferred even when political parties are in disagreement. Washington, DC was slowly growing as new capital (White House and Capitol), despite swampy/humid environment
The Election of 1800 Feds supported Adams for a second term Republicans supported Jefferson for Pres & Aaron Burr for VP Campaign consisted of letter writing (not speeches) which were sometimes not very nice. For example, the Feds charged Jefferson with being godless because he believed in freedom of religion and Reps charged Feds with being only interested in the wealthy, and would bring back monarchy
Election Deadlock When the Electoral College (institution that officially elects Pres/VP, the "electors" who are chosen by popular vote on a stateby-state basis.) voted, they were dead even with 73 votes apiece so House of Reps had to decide. At Hamilton s urging, vote went to Jefferson with Aaron Burr as VP The 12th Amendment, passed because of this election, requires electoral college to vote for Pres/VP separately
Jefferson s Inauguration Jefferson dressed in everyday clothes, walked to Senate to be sworn in (Adams snuck out so he wouldn t have to watch) Stated we are all Republicans, we are all Federalists in order to prevent bipartisanship Wanted to reduce the size of the federal government (similar to french laissez-faire leave alone or hands off policy)
1. What does the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution require?
Jefferson s Policies Jefferson worked to limit the scope of the federal government and shift control of the federal courts away from the Federalists. At the time, only couple hundred people worked for federal government (today 3 million!), Jefferson believed government should be limited (mail, customs, census)
Jefferson Takes Charge Surrounded himself with men of shared Republican principles Sec. of State = friend, James Madison Sec. of Treasury = Albert Gallatin Goal = reduce national debt left by Feds/ scale down military expenses (reduction) After election, before inauguration Judiciary Act of 1801 = increased number of federal judges putting more Federalists (appointed by John Adams) in court positions, became known as midnight judges as they were added at last minute of presidency Ensured Feds held court system
Marbury v. Madison John Adams last minute judge appointments carried into the day of Jefferson s inauguration Some commissions were delivered once Jefferson was already president (like Marbury). Jefferson ordered Sec. of State James Madison to withhold the commissions from those not delivered To force his commission, he went directly to Supreme Court Chief Justice, John Marshall, denied Marbury s claim, as they did not have jurisdiction to decide his case
Marbury v. Madison Questions being asked: Did Marbury have a right to the commission? Do the laws of the country give Marbury a legal remedy? Is asking the Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus (a mandate) the correct legal solution?
Marbury v. Madison Chief Justice Marshall said he didn t have constitutional power to allow for commission to be made legal (didn t have the jurisdiction) Marshall set out 3 principles of judicial review Constitution is supreme law of the land If there is a conflict between Constitution and another law, the Constitution s law must be followed Judicial branch has a duty to uphold the Constitution Marshall extended power of courts... Gave more power to federal than state government Other court decisions also support the idea that the Constitution is (a) Supreme Law and (b) includes implied powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden
1. Why would Jefferson surround himself with men who shared the same principles? 2. Explain how Jefferson cut government spending. 3. How did the changes that Jefferson made reflect his views about government? 4. Name the court case that established judicial review.