Transcript Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson
3rd President of the
United States
1801 - 1809
Election of 1800
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Resulted in tie between Thomas Jefferson
and Aaron Burr
Election was decided by House of
Representatives on the 36th ballot
12th Amendment changed the Electoral
process to accommodate political parties
sponsoring a “ticket” for President and Vice
President
Louisiana Purchase - 1803
Problem?
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The Constitution did not mention the
purchase of land
Jefferson – a strict constructionist – did not
want to use the elastic clause to complete
the purchase
Transfer of land was arranged as part of a
treaty between France and the U.S negotiated by the executive branch and
ratified by the Senate
Significance of the Louisiana Purchase
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Set precedent for expansion
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Doubled the size of the US
Allowed Jefferson to complete the purchase without technically
use the elastic clause
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Established the precedent that land can be added to the US by treaty –
opened the possibility to expand to Pacific coast (“Manifest Destiny”)
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Payment (arranged by Bank of U.S.) of $15 million was very
reasonable
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Gave US complete control of the Mississippi River
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Removed a foreign neighbor from our western boundary
Paved the way for the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Thomas Jefferson’s Foreign Policy
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The Barbary Pirates
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Had been paid protection money by US gov’t. so
they would not interfere with US shipping in
Mediterranean
Jefferson refused to pay money and sent US
warships to protect US vessels
Thomas Jefferson’s Foreign Policy
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Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
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British attacked US ship, killed Americans, and
impressed others
Jefferson resolved through diplomatic means –
not war
Thomas Jefferson’s Foreign Policy
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The Embargo Act – 1807
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Prohibited US ships from sailing to any foreign port in
attempt to stop the British from violating US rights of neutral
nation
Brought economic hardship to America; some Americans
hard-hit by the depression they talked of secession from the
union
Was repealed in 1809 – Macon’s Bill #2 US could trade with
any nation except Britain and France
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A political cartoon showing merchants dodging the "Ograbme",
which is 'Embargo' spelled backwards