The Early Republic The Jeffersonian Years 1788 - 1808.

TheEarly

RepublicThe Jeffersonian Years

1788 - 1808

Jefferson’s Inaugural Address

Conciliatory “Every difference of opinion…not a difference of principle.” “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists.”

Policy statements Economy in government Unrestricted trade Freedom of religion, the press, and person (habeas corpus) Friendship to all nations but “entangling alliances” with none

America, “the world’s best hope,” would flourish if a limited government left men “free to regulate their own pursuits.”

Jefferson’s Goals

Jefferson’s goals as president were to: Reduce

Cost of government Size of government

Repeal heinous acts passed by Adams administration

Maintain international peace

Jefferson’s “wise and frugal” government

Jefferson’s plan to reduce the national debt included:

Reducing the number of government employees

Slashing the army and the navy

Repealing all taxes except the tariff

Paying off national debt

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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 judgeshipRepublicans claim victoryChief 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

The Louisiana Purchase

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Lewis & Clark Expedition(1804 – 1806)

Expedition had both scientific & commercial purposes Study area’s geography, plants, & animal life Discover how region might be exploited economically Hoped to establish trade relations w/ western Indians Hoped to discover elusive water route to Pacific

Expedition important for three reasons Brought back immense amount of info Journey demonstrated feasibility of overland route to Pacific Helped strengthen the idea that America was destined to reach across

the continent

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Conflict With the Barbary States

North African states demand tribute from ships sailing in Mediterranean

Jefferson dispatches U.S. fleet to “negotiate through the mouth of a cannon”

U.S. cannot defeat the Barbary StatesAction induces respect for U.S. rights

The Barbary Coast

The Tripolitan Wars

Burning the Philadelphia

Stephen Decatur

To the Shores of Tripoli

The Chesapeake & Leopard Affair

The Embargo Act of 1807

With France and Britain at war once again both countries began to prey on US shipping and sailors.

In an attempt to bring France and Britain under control without resorting to actually open conflict President Jefferson recommended that Congress enact an embargo against both countries.

The embargoes would include grain, cotton and tobacco.

The Embargo Act or 1807

Congress passed the Embargo Act in December 1807 and other, related acts in January, March and April 1808.

The supplemental acts went on to include coasting vessels, fishing ships and smugglers.

Congress passed stiff penalties and authorized captains of US naval vessels and customs inspectors to stop and search any ship within US jurisdiction they had “reason to suspect” was in violation of the Embargo Acts.

The Embargo Act of 1807

With such measures, Congress and the President conveniently ignored that the Fourth Amendment, which was meant to protect people “against unreasonable searches and seizures” provided that no search warrant would issue absent “probable cause” – a much higher standard than suspicion or mere opinion.

The Embargo Act of 1807Very unpopular in New England where commerce and shipping was an

important industry.New Englanders observed a better title would be “an act for the better

encouragement of the British colonies in America” because skilled seaman from New England moved to Canada so they could practice their trade.

State of insurrection declared in April, 1808 in the Lake Champlain area.Massachusetts legislature declares the Act “unjust, oppressive and

unconstitutional, and not legally binding on the citizens of this state.”Delaware and Connecticut follow with similar messages.Jefferson, just days prior to his end of term, signed a bill repealing the

embargo and permitting trade with the rest of the world with the exception of Britain and France, and providing the chief executive with the option to reopen trade with which ever beligerant ceased to interfere with American shipping.

Macon’s Bill #2

Replaced Nonintercourse Act of 1809Reopened trade with “Warring Powers”

(Great Britain & France)

Provided that: If either nation dropped its restrictions on American trade;America would reimpose nonintercourse on the other

nation