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U.S. History I - The Jeffersonian Republicans 1800–1824

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    Study Guide U.S. History I – The Jeffersonian Republicans 1800 – 1824 1. A Spirit of Nationalism After the War of 1812, the United States entered a period often called the “Era of Good Feelings.” The country had one main political party, the Republicans, but unity was more surface - level than real. Differences in ideas and regional interests were beginning to emerge. 1.1 Henry Clay and the American System Some Republicans, like Henry Clay , were starting to promote new economic ideas. Clay’s plan, called the American System , included three main goals: 1. Protective tariffs – taxes on imported goods to help new American industries compete. 2. Federal support for internal improvements – building roads, bridges, and canals to promote trade. 3. Renewal of the national bank – keeping a strong banking system to support the economy. • Many Republicans agreed with Clay. • In 1816 , Congress approved the Second Bank of the United States and a moderate tariff. Internal Improvements Debate Federal spending on roads had begun under Jefferson with the National Road . • Republicans generally believed that building roads and canals should be handled by states , not the federal government, unless a constitutional amendment said otherwise. • President Madison vetoed a bill for federal funding of internal improvements, citing this argument. 1.2 The Era of Good Feelings • After the embargo ended and the country was at peace, a Boston newspaper editor called this time the “Era of Good Feelings.” • President Monroe tried to reconcile political differences. • In 1820 , he won reelection almost unanimously — 231 votes to 1 .

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    Study Guide 1.3 Supreme Court and National Power Even as political leaders spoke of nationalism, new issues created divisions . • John Marshall’s Supreme Court favored a strong national government. • Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819): State governments could not alter private contracts . • McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): States could not tax a federal institution (like the Second Bank). • These decisions confirmed that the federal government was supreme within its constitutional powers . 1.4 New States and the Missouri Crisis Between 1812 and 1819, five new states joined the Union: 1. Louisiana (1812) 2. Indiana (1816) 3. Mississippi (1817) 4. Illinois (1818) 5. Alabama (1819) In 1819, Missouri applied for statehood as a slave state . • At that time, there were 11 free states and 11 slave states . • Admitting Missouri would upset the balance. The Missouri Compromise (Henry Clay): • Maine became a free state , balancing Missouri as a slave state . • Slavery was banned north of the 36°30′ line in the Louisiana Purchase. • The next six new states would continue this delicate balance.

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    Study Guide 1.5 Monroe’s Foreign Policy Florida and Spain • Secretary of State John Quincy Adams negotiated the Transcontinental Treaty (Adams - Onís Treaty) with Spain. • Spain gave up Florida in exchange for $5 million . • A clear boundary line was drawn from the Sabine River to the Pacific Ocean . The Monroe Doctrine • Britain suggested the U.S. join an alliance supporting Latin American independence . • Adams proposed a policy instead: 1. No new European colonization in the Western Hemisphere. 2. Any attempt would be seen as hostile to the U.S. 3. The U.S. would not get involved in European wars . • Written into Monroe’s annual message to Congress, this became the Monroe Doctrine . 2. Jefferson's First Term The election of Thomas Jefferson as the third U.S. president marked a major shift in American politics. For the next 24 years, Republicans would lead the country through peace, war, and massive growth. While the Federalist Party faded , its ideas continued to influence the nation, especially through Supreme Court decisions that strengthened the judiciary. During Jefferson’s presidency, the United States doubled in size through the Louisiana Purchase (1803) and added eight new states (1803 – 1821) . Expansion also raised questions about slavery , especially with the admission of Maine and Missouri , setting the stage for future sectional debates before the Civil War. 2.1 Jefferson’s Policies and Government Jefferson was concerned about the growing national debt left by the Federalists. His Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin , believed the debt created high taxes that benefited wealthy creditors. Together, they aimed to eliminate the national debt in sixteen years by cutting military spending and reducing government size .

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    Study Guide • The Republicans repealed internal taxes , including the unpopular whiskey excise . • Spending decreased, and the debt declined modestly. Despite being a strict constructionist , Jefferson kept some Federalist programs: • He did not abolish the Bank of the United States , since it was effective. • He avoided a wholesale replacement of Federalist officials, instead filling vacancies with Republicans . • Some Federalists even served in his cabinet , though Jefferson influenced judicial appointments . 2.2 Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review At the end of Adams’ presidency, the Federalist - controlled Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1801 , creating new federal judgeships that Adams quickly filled with Federalists — later called the “midnight judges.” When Jefferson became president, his Secretary of State, James Madison , refused to deliver William Marbury’s commission for a judgeship. Marbury sued, and the case went to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Marshall , a Federalist, rejected Marbury’s claim. But by doing so, Marshall established the principle of judicial review : the Supreme Court could declare federal laws unconstitutional . This decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) made the Court a major force in American politics . 2.3 The Barbary Pirates American merchant ships faced attacks from Barbary pirates in North Africa. The U.S. had paid tribute to these rulers in the 1790s, but in 1801 , the pasha of Tripoli demanded more. Jefferson responded with a naval blockade, bombardments, and a small land assault by Marines . The war ended in 1805 with a treaty in which the U.S. paid a ransom for captured sailors , showing that Jefferson could protect American interests while maintaining Republican principles of limited war.

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