The Presidency of Thomas Jefferson

 

Election of 1800 was deadlocked between Jefferson and Burr; Hamilton persuaded some Federalists to abstain from vote to elect Jefferson

 

Jefferson referred to his election as the “Revolution of 1800”: triumph of the common man

 

Jefferson did undo some Federalist policies:

     repeal of excise tax on Whiskey

     reduced the debt and defense spending

     repealed Naturalization Act

     allowed Alien/Sedition Acts to expire

     pardoned those convicted under A/S Acts

     replaced some Federalist officials

     repealed the Judiciary Act of 1801 (the

           midnight appointments)

 

Jefferson continued some Federalist policies:

     Hamilton’s financial plan

     National Bank

     reaffirmed isolationism in foreign policy

     used loose interpretation to buy Louisiana

           Purchase

Also:

     Sent Lewis and Clark to explore the new

           territory

    

     Chesapeake Affair 1807: British ship fired

           on and boarded the Chesapeake and

           impressed 4 men (3 U.S. citizens)

 

     Jefferson responded with the Embargo:

           U.S. ships are not allowed to sail to

                foreign ports

           No U.S. exports to other nations

    

 

     the Embargo failed to damage England

           and France but hurt the American

           economy, especially northern

           manufacturers

 

     Jefferson then signed the non-Intercourse Act which repealed the Embargo except for against England and France