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French Threaten U.S.
When Spain secretly transferred the Louisiana Territory to France, it put some important U.S. trade at risk. -
Election of 1800
In December of 1800, Thomas Jefferson won the presidential election against the previous president, John Adams. -
Judiciary Act of 1801
John Adams had used the Judiciary Act of 1801 to make hundreds of appointments during his last days as president. This way, Adams was making sure the Federalists controlled the courts. However, this could not take place until the last minute appointees received commissions. Jefferson simply told James Madison not to deliver them. Not only did this affect the career of William Marbury, but it helped to establish principles of Judicial Review. -
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War with Tripoli
In 1801, the ruler of Tripoli demanded that the U.S. pay a large sum of money to him. Thomas Jefferson refused to pay, so Tripoli declared war. In response, Jefferson ordered a naval blockade to blockade Tripoli. In 1804, pirates seized the warship Philadelphia. They then arrested the crew and planned to use the ship. To stop this from happening, Stephen Decatur burned the ship. In June of 1805, a treaty was signed and the war ended. -
The French Threat
In 1802, Spain suddenly changed their policy, not allowing American goods to move beyond New Orleans. This caused Jefferson to believe that The Louisiana Territory and Florida had both been transferred in an agreement. Jefferson realized this could put American trade at risk, and he authorized Robert Livingston to offer as much as 2 million dollars for New Orleans and Florida. -
Louisiana Purchase
After France acquired the Louisiana Territory, France and Jefferson agreed on a price of $15 million. This way, the U.S. acquired the Louisiana Territory. -
Napoleon and Saint Domingue
Napoleon's hopes of an empire in Saint Domingue was brought to an end by a slave rebellion. -
Federalists Plan to Secede
People in New England feared that westward expansion would weaken their power, so at one point they planned to secede from the Union. -
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Lewis and Clark's Expedition
In 1804, after acquiring the Louisiana Territory, President Thomas Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis (his private secretary), and William Clark, along with some others to scout the newly acquired land and make maps. They were guided by Sacagawea, a Shoshone Indian, who was able to help with Native American negotiations. They returned from the expedition two years later. -
Hamilton vs. Burr
On July 11, 1804, Alexander Hamilton met Alexander Burr for an illegal duel, resulting in Hamilton's death. Burr fled and wasn't charged with the crime, and later returned to continue his term as Vice President. -
Staying Neutral
During war between France and Britain, America had been trading with both countries, and Jefferson planned to stay neutral. -
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Pike's Expedition
From 1805 to 1807, Jefferson sent Lieutenant Zebulon Pike into the wilderness to explore. He traveled to the Colorado area where he discovered Grand Peak, now known as Pike's Peak -
British Abuse of American Shipping
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Poor Choice of Trade Acts
Congress had passed the Embargo Act, but it was soon repealed. It's replacement, the Nonintercourse act, was also a poorly thought out act. -
Election of 1808
Jefferson followed Washington, and did not run for a third term. Instead, James Madison won the election of 1808 by many electoral college votes.
