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Jefferson Elected
After defeating the Federalist Party in the general election, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr - the Democratic Republican candidates - find themselves tied, forcing the House of Representative to vote to pick the third president of the United States. After 36 rounds of voting, and some persuasion from Alexander Hamilton, the House finally selects Jefferson. Jefferson previously wrote the U.S. declaration of independence, and served as Washington's Secretary of State. -
America's First Overseas War
The 3rd president of the United States finds his first test in the form of a group of pirates off of the north coast of Africa - Tripoli to be exact - who would seize American ships and sailors trading in the Mediterranean and demand a ransom. Jefferson initially refuses, leading to years of naval battles with these pirates until agreeing to pay a small ransom in order to end the hostilities four years later. While never fully settled, the war served as a good test of American military power. -
John Marshall and The power of the 3rd Branch
Near the end of his presidency, John Adams appoints several federalists to public positions, including William Marbury. Yet, Jefferson refuses Marbury his post before he can take it. Marbury petitions the supreme court directly, and John Marshall (the chief justice of the time) states that - while Marbury should have his job - the law allowing Marbury to go straight to the supreme court is unconstitutional, creating the concept of Judicial Review - the power of the Court to disallow a law. -
America Expands into Louisiana
At the beginning of Jefferson's presidency, the land West of the U.S. belonged to France. One site in particular America wanted for themselves was New Orleans, the southern tip of the French Louisiana territory. After sending ambassadors to France to discuss the purchase of New Orleans, France instead offers them the entire territory for 15 million dollars (< 3 cents an acre). The Senate ratifies the treaty on this date, and America becomes twice as large. -
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
Soon after the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, president Jefferson commissions an expedition to explore this currently uncharted possession of the U.S. He leaves the job to the famed Lewis and Clark, two officers of the army who leave from their meeting point at Camp Dubois in Illinois to reach the west coast and return, a trip that would ultimately take them over two years. -
A Duel Between Secretary of State and Vice President
It is on this day that Jefferson's first vice-president - Aaron Burr - enters a duel with former Secretary of State Alexander Hamilton, killing the former secretary (and providing the inspiration for an excellent musical). The duel was caused by Burr hearing a rumor that Hamilton was "slandering" Burr's character at a previous public event, and also because Hamilton was instrumental in convincing federalists in the House to vote for Jefferson over Burr for President. -
Jefferson's Folly - The Embargo Act
During this era, Britain and France find themselves at war with each other yet again. America, eager to get into the world economy, has tried making itself a trading partner with both countries, much to the chagrin of the latter. Britain begins impressment of American sailors, forcing them to work in their Royal Navy. Jefferson responds with the Embargo Act, making trade with any outside country illegal and hurting the U.S. economy until the law is revised to only include Britain and France. -
The Atlantic Slave Trade Ends
Nearing the end of his presidency, Jefferson promotes an act prohibiting the importation of slaves into America, an ugly aspect of an ugly practice. The new law is enacted on the first day it is allowed to be, as the constitution prohibited any changes to laws regarding slavery until 20 years after the signing of the document. The domestic slave trade is unaffected by the law, but the country finally takes its first steps in ending slavery. -
End of an Era - James Madison Elected
After two terms in office, Jefferson follows Washington's precedent by deciding to retire and allow someone else to take the presidency. The winner is James Madison, another Virginian Democratic-Republican like Jefferson who served as the latter's Secretary of State. Jefferson would go on to spend the rest of his life on public works (such as helping found the University of Virginia) and living in his home, Monticello.
