Discovering Our Past: The American Journey to World War I

Chapter 6: The Age of Jefferson

Chapter Overview

In 1800 the Federalist and Republican parties fought a bitter presidential election campaign. A tie vote in the Electoral College left the final decision in the hands of the House of Representatives. Thomas Jefferson finally was chosen as the third president of the United States. As a supporter of states' rights Jefferson aimed to reduce the national debt, cut taxes, and slash spending.

One of the most important acts of Jefferson's presidency was the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. An expedition to explore the new territory was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. A Shoshone woman, Sacagawea, served as their guide for part of the trip.

In the 1800s, nationalism spread throughout the United States, and consequently, many Americans embraced democratic ideals. Poor whites, enslaved African Americans, and free African Americans received few of the freedoms others experienced. As nationalism spread, so did the demand for equality. Education separated many Americans, and leaders like Thomas Jefferson argued that a strong democracy relied on well-educated citizens. The Second Awakening resulted in citizens joining movements to end slavery, curb drinking, and advance education. In literature, writers, like Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and William Cullen Bryan, began using settings and characters with American themes. Also during the 1800s, Americans developed their own music and architectural styles. Life in the North and in the South developed very differently. While cities began to grow in the North, the South remained mostly agricultural. The issue of slavery increasingly separated the two regions. Also during this time, many Americans pushed westward for unclaimed land.