What major events happened during Thomas Jeffersons presidency?

Answer 1

President: Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Term: March 4, 1801 - March 4, 1809

Political Party: Democratic-Republican

Vice-President: Aaron Burr (1801-1805), George Clinton (1805-1809)

Major Domestic Policy: Jefferson believed in a weak Federal Government, which is what made him a very popular president. Due to this, it allowed him to lower taxes. During his term, the Federalist Party weakened because of the change of thoughts, and the fact that Alexander Hamilton passed away. Even thought Jefferson lost the court case of Marbury v. Madison, the Federalist still didn't gain major power. Jefferson then decided on purchasing more land for the United States. He bought the land between the Mississippi river and the Rockies, which doubled the landmass of the U.S. Jefferson wanted to avoid giving more power to the federal government. This land purchase was known as the Louisiana Purchase. By doing this, he cut Army and Navy expenses and got rid of the whiskey tax.

Major Foreign Policy: During Jefferson's time in office, France declared war on Europe while Britain declared war on France. Having all of this war, the amount of trade was lowering which caused oppression on the United States. Napoleon created a blockade of Great Britain, and then Great Britain created a blockade of Europe. These blockades were not very sufficient, but during the process 1500 American ships were abducted and the sailors were forced into the British navy. From this happening, Jefferson ordered the Embargo Act, which ended the trading with foreign countries from U.S. merchants. This act was used in order to keep the U.S. out of war by keeping American ships away from the blockades. This act was not obeyed entirely because many Americans would smuggle goods to different ports. From 1804-1809, the Embargo and Non-Intercourse Acts were passed. These acts were passed to prevent America from entering the war with France and the British. The Embargo Act didn't allow any trade between America and any foreign countries in order to prevent American ships from being abducted in the blockades being formed. Many being disobeyed this act, which then lead to the Non-Intercourse Act in 1809. This act allowed American merchants to trade with ports other then British. In 1809, the act was discarded but was then replaced by the Non-Intercourse Act, which stated that Americans could trade with foreign nations other then the nations in Europe. This act still failed to keep American ships out of the European ports.

Court case:

• Marbury v. Madison (1803)-established judicial review that gave power to call acts of Congress and the President for constitutionality.

Intellectual and Social Developments:

• Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set off to the west in the first expedition to the Pacific coast and back. This was known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

• In 1803, Robert Livingston and James Monroe were sent by Jefferson to France to purchase more land. Napoleon sold them the entire Louisiana territory for fifteen million. This area doubled the landmass of the United States, giving it more farmland and control of the Mississippi river.

• Aaron Burr was arrested in 1807 when there was word he was going to secede from the United States when preparing a filibuster into Spanish possessions in Mexico in case of war with Spain. He was then put on trial for treason, but was acquitted.

• The Second Great Awakening occurred as religion rose again. Causes such as the prison reform, abolitionism, and temperance were reformed.

• Robert Fulton invented the steamboat known as the Clermont. This steamboat traveled up the Hudson River for the first time in 1807, making it easier for boats to travel up stream.

Jefferson's Legacy: Jefferson believed strongly toward individual state rights. He also believed that America should stay away from war due to the fact that it was a new nation and was not quite strong. He wanted to avoid war at all cost, including the Napoleonic despite the fact that the France, European, and Great Britain blockade made it impossible to trade and eventually lead to American ships being captured and the sailors being forced into the British Navy. The decrease in trade was affecting America strongly, which caused the creation of the Embargo Act. This act didn't help because Americans were disobeying it and continuously trading within European ports, risking the fact of being abducted. Then the Non-Intercourse Act was created which allowed Americans to trade with foreign nations other then Europe. This act was also not obeyed. Jefferson also believed that the farmers and the common people play an important role in our country. He then decided to purchase Louisiana Territory because of the lowering amounts of land.

Answer 2

What were some major events of Thomas Jefferson presidency