Republicans in Power | Sources of Political Dissension

Failure of Foreign Policy | The War of 1812

Post-War Politics

1. Republicans in Power (see Martin, pp. 204-207, 208-210)

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States

Jefferson’s goals:

• Reduce size and cost of government
• Repeal offensive Federalist legislation
• Maintain international peace
• Cut national debt
• Diminish activities of federal government

Jefferson’s accomplishments:

• Repeal of all direct taxes
• Closing of several American embassies
• Cut military spending
• Established US Military Academy (1802)
• Louisiana Purchase

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Louisiana Purchase (1803)

• Louisiana Territory transferred from Spain to France
• Napoleon’s goal: American empire
• French troops sent to Santo Domingo
• Jefferson’s fear: French could take New Orleans and control Mississippi River
• James Monroe and Robert Livingston sent to France to purchase New Orleans
• Napoleon offers all of Louisiana for $15 million



The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 doubled the size of the United States.

Reaction to Louisiana Purchase

• Enthusiasm from public
• Jefferson: fear that purchase was unconstitutional
• Pressure from France leads Jefferson to submit treaty to Senate; treaty easily ratified

Election of 1804

• Thomas Jefferson (Republican): 162
• Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (Federalist): 14

2. Sources of Political Dissension (see Martin, pp. 207-208, 210-212)

Federal court controversy

• Judiciary Act of 1801: 15 circuit courts created
• Adams makes "midnight appointments"
• John Marshall appointed as Chief Justice
• Law repealed, January 1802
• Impeachment of Justice Samuel Chase
• Chase acquitted



John Marshall, one of John Adams "midnight appointments" became one of the most influential Supreme Court justices in American history.

Aaron Burr controversy



Vice President Aaron Burr's actions created difficulties for the Jefferson Administration.

 

• Burr runs for Governor of New York, 1804
• Negotiates with Federalists plotting secession
• Hamilton urges Federalists not to vote for Burr
• Burr loses election, challenges Hamilton to duel
• Burr kills Hamilton, July 11, 1804
• Burr plots military operation, 1805-1806
• Recruits private army, James Wilkinson
• Wilkinson betrays Burr; Burr arrested
• Burr stands trial for treason
• John Marshall as trial judge
• Burr acquitted

Slave trade controversy

• Constitutional compromise—Congress might take action on slave trade in 1808
• Jefferson recommends ending slave trade
• Congress passes bill; to take effect Jan. 1, 1808

3. The Failure of Foreign Policy (see Martin, pp. 212-214)

Napoleonic Wars resume, 1803

• Britain vs. France

American reaction

• Neutrality
• Trade with both sides

British and French actions

• British resume impressment, seize American ships trading in Europe
• French seize any vessels carrying British goods

Jefferson’s policy: "peaceable coercion"

• Economic pressure through suspension of all trade
• Embargo Act (Dec. 1807)

Impact of Embargo

• Hurt US economy
• Northeasterners evaded law
• No change in British or French policy



This political cartoon attempted to show the impact of Jefferson's embargo on the American economy (portrayed as a slow moving turtle).

Election of 1808

• James Madison (Republican): 122
• Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (Federalist): 47

Madison’s policy

• Continuation of peaceable coercion/economic pressure
• No impact



James Madison would eventually be pressured into declaring war against Great Britain.

Pressure from Congress

• "War Hawks" push for war against Great Britain
• Republicans from South and West
• Henry Clay, John Calhoun
• Madison asks for declaration of war, June 1812
• House of Representatives, 79-49
• Senate, 19-13

Henry Clay (left) and John Calhoun were two of the "War Hawks" calling for a restoration of national honor in the face of Britain's aggressive policies.

4. The War of 1812 (see Martin, pp. 214-220)

US war effort goes poorly

• Efforts to take Canada fail
• Washington, DC, captured and burned



The British burned the White House in retaliation for the American burning of the Canadian capital of York. President Madison was forced to flee before the British arrived.

Battle of New Orleans

• Surprising US victory by Andrew Jackson
• Impact:
• Jackson becomes folk hero
• US pride enhanced
• Prevented British from taking western territory



In this drawing, Andrew Jackson directs his western militia against the invading British troops at New Orleans. The battle was actually fought two weeks after the peace treaty at Ghent had been signed.

Treaty of Ghent

• Restored status quo ante bellum (conditions as they were before the war)

5. Post-War Politics (see Martin, pp. 226-228, 238-243)

Election of 1816

• James Monroe (Republican): 183
• Rufus King (Federalist): 34



James Monroe was the fourth Virginian to occupy the White House for two successive terms.

Monroe’s Presidency: "Era of Good Feelings"

• Demise of Federalist Party; one-party rule
• Post-war prosperity

Panic of 1819

• Downturn in economy; failure of businesses
• Leads to sectional conflict

Election of 1820

• James Monroe (Republican): 231-1
• No Federalist opposition

Missouri Controversy

• Missouri applies for statehood (slave state), 1819
• Union balanced—11 free states, 11 slave states
• Maine applies for statehood (free state)
• Tallmadge Amendment proposed
• Missouri would become free state
• Defeated in House of Representatives
• Issue unresolved when Congress ended session

Missouri Compromise (1820)

• Henry Clay (Kentucky) proposal
• Missouri admitted as slave state
• Maine admitted as free state
• Slavery banned north of latitude 36° 30

The Missouri Compromise averted a national crisis over slavery.