Overview
This lecture discussed the rise and impact of the Jeffersonian Republicans (1800–1824), focusing on elections, political changes, expansion, conflict, and social roles.
The Election of 1800 and Peaceful Transition
- The 1800 election ended in a tie between Jefferson and Burr, resolved by the House in Jefferson’s favor.
- The peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Republicans was rare in world history.
- Gabriel’s Rebellion, a failed slave plot, led to harsher laws for enslaved people.
Jefferson’s Presidency and Vision
- Jefferson favored limited government and saw independent farmers as the republic’s backbone.
- He distrusted industrialization and preferred an agrarian society.
- The federal government was small, handling courts, customs, census, and postal services.
- Marbury v. Madison established judicial review after Adams’ last-minute judicial appointments.
Expansion and Foreign Affairs
- The Louisiana Purchase (1803) doubled U.S. territory; Lewis and Clark explored the new lands.
- Barbary pirates attacked U.S. ships, prompting America’s first overseas military action.
- The 1807 embargo on British and French trade hurt New England’s economy and sparked talk of secession.
Madison’s Presidency and War of 1812
- Madison continued Jefferson’s policies; Dolly Madison became a prominent First Lady.
- Tecumseh tried to unite Native Americans but was defeated at Tippecanoe.
- War Hawks in Congress pushed for war with Britain, leading to the War of 1812.
- Key events: failed U.S. invasion of Canada, British capture of Washington D.C., Jackson’s victory at New Orleans.
- The Hartford Convention discussed secession but lost support after peace and Jackson’s win.
Social Change and Women’s Rights
- Women gained more legal rights, including property and divorce (except in S.C. by 1820).
- Women’s active roles in churches gave them organizational skills for future suffrage efforts.
- The language of rights led women, former slaves, and others to question their exclusion from citizenship.
Slavery, Expansion, and Sectionalism
- The Missouri Compromise (1820) admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, setting a boundary for slavery’s expansion.
- Jackson invaded Florida without approval, leading to U.S. acquisition from Spain and hardship for the Seminoles.
Monroe Doctrine and Foreign Policy
- President Monroe, with John Quincy Adams, declared the Western Hemisphere off-limits to European intervention (Monroe Doctrine).
The Election of 1824 and the "Corrupt Bargain"
- No candidate won a majority in 1824; the House chose John Quincy Adams, who appointed Henry Clay Secretary of State.
- Jackson’s supporters called this a "corrupt bargain."
- Adams promoted the "American System" for internal improvements, but Congress rejected his plans.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Judicial Review — Supreme Court’s authority to rule on constitutionality (Marbury v. Madison).
- Louisiana Purchase — U.S. acquisition of French territory west of the Mississippi (1803).
- Embargo — 1807 ban on U.S. trade with foreign ports.
- War Hawks — Pro-war members of Congress.
- Missouri Compromise — 1820 law balancing slave and free states.
- Monroe Doctrine — U.S. policy warning Europe against interference in the Americas.
- American System — Adams’ plan for federal investment in infrastructure.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review assigned reading on the Jeffersonian era.
- Prepare for a quiz on the War of 1812.
- Write a short reflection on the Missouri Compromise’s significance.