Thomas Jefferson
Simplify: Thomas Jefferson
Recall: Facts
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Jefferson's Beliefs
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"Revolution" of 1800
Before the election of the third President of the United States the previous presidents had belonged to the Federalist party. However during elections, Jefferson defeated John Adams but tied with his vice president Aaron Burr. The House of Representatives had to then choose who the president will be. Alexander Hamilton, who disliked Jefferson but hated Burr, urged the House of Representatives to choose Jefferson who was a Democratic-Republican. After four days of discussing the issue Jefferson was chosen. The election was significant because it was a peaceful (nonviolent) transfer of power from the Federalists to the Democratic-Republicans.
Louisiana PurchaseJefferson was put in a difficult situation when Napoleon received the Louisiana Territory from Spain. American had made a contract with Spain called the Pickney Treaty in 1795 where they had the right to deposit in the port of New Orleans. However,Spain then canceled it. Many Americans depended on the ability to transfer goods on the Mississippi and deposit them for trade in New Orleans. Jefferson told his minister to negotiate to the French and offer $10 million for the New Orleans's territory and a small part of Florida. France denied it but made a bargain deal to sell the whole Louisiana Territory for $15 million. Jefferson wanted to accept but did not feel that a President was allowed to choose something that would affect the whole nation. Jefferson then sent it the offer made by France to the Senate who approved. The U.S. size then doubled.
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Lewis and Clark ExpeditionsJefferson hoped to find an all-water passage connecting the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean.He appointed a team, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the territory beginning in 1804. Lewis and Clark had many encounters with native tribes. The expedition lasted from 1804-1806. Although no passage was discovered Lewis and Clark's detailed notes expanded American's knowledge of the vast new territory and warned the settlers of the hardships facing
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Troubles Abroad
During Jefferson's terms a war was raging in Europe that Jefferson tried to stay out of as much as possible. Napoleon and Britain were enemies.
Barbary Pirates in North AfricaPirates in North Africa seized U.S. merchant ships as they traveled the Mediterranean Sea. The previous presidents, Washington and Adams, had paid the leaders of North African Nations a "protection" fee to reduce the number of times U.S. ships would be seized. The price had become much higher when Jefferson became president. President Jefferson began the Tripolitan War (1801-1805). It was a fight between the U.S. Navy and the pirates in the Mediterranean Sea for four years. In the end the Navy had made a huge dent in the pirates work and gained the U.S.
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War in Europe and the Embargo ActThe Napoleon Wars raged in Europe. The U.S. wanted no part in the war and claimed neutrality. Britain and France's hatred for each other affecting the U.S. economy. Americans were growing increasingly concerned over the British practice of impressement and violations of the U.S. neutrality. It led to the Embargo Act in 1807, which prohibited U.S. merchant vessels to engage in foreign trade. Jefferson hoped to cripple the British and French economy. Jefferson's plan was ruinous for the U.S. economy- most of the damage was inflicted on New England merchants and Southern farmers. In 1809 Congress repealed the act but soon replaced it with a similar bill.
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