The American Journey © 2012

Chapter 9: The Jefferson Era

Chapter Overviews

Section 1: The Republicans Take Power

In 1800 the Federalist and Republican parties fought a bitter election campaign that ended in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Jefferson won the presidency, and wanted to bridge the gap between the two parties. He also aimed to reduce the national debt, as well as the power and size of the federal government. Before leaving office, however, President John Adams had passed the Judiciary Act of 1801 that broadened federal power at the expense of the states.

Section 2: The Louisiana Purchase

During the early 1800s, Americans moved west and established farms near the Mississippi River. They shipped their goods downriver to the Spanish-owned port of New Orleans. In 1802 Spain secretly sold the Louisiana Territory to France, and American trade on the Mississippi was endangered. French leader Napoleon Bonaparte, however, soon lost interest in creating an empire in America. He then agreed to sell the entire Louisiana Territory to the United States. Jefferson quickly accepted.

In hopes of finding a trade route to Asia, as well to gather scientific information, Congress sponsored an expedition to the region. The Federalists opposed the Louisiana Purchase, but they failed in a plot to have New England states secede from the Union. The successful expedition, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark provided inspiration to Americans eager to move westward.

Section 3: A Time of Conflict

American merchants depended on travel by sea. By forcing ships to pay tribute, pirates along the Mediterranean’s Barbary Coast made these journeys dangerous. When Jefferson refused to pay further tribute, the state of Tripoli declared war on the United States. Meanwhile, the British forced Americans seamen to fight in their war against France and attempted to interfere with American shipping.

When James Madison became president in 1808, trade issues with Britain and France, as well as tensions between white settlers and Native Americans, had the nation on the verge of war. Shawnee chief Tecumseh tried to form a confederacy among Native American nations, but after defeat at the Battle of Tippecanoe, he joined forces with the British. Madison felt pressure from the War Hawks - Western Republican congressmen - to declare war against Britain, which he did in 1812.

Section 4: The War of 1812

Despite the War Hawks’ confidence, the United States army was unprepared for war with Great Britain. The British captured Washington D.C., but lost the Battle of Lake Champlain, and decided not to continue fighting. Before word of the war’s end reached the United States, Andrew Jackson’s forces decisively won the Battle of New Orleans. Americans now felt a strong national identity and gained the respect of other nations.