Chapter 7: Jeffersonian Republicanism

--With peaceful passing of reigns of power, 2-party system got a secure foothold. Also, Jefferson eased party tension by inviting them to cooperate with Republicns to work for common good. Planned to undermine the party system by absorbing all reasona ble Federalists.

Economy and Simplicity

--The New Regime: very informal administration. Unpompous. Although tended to romanticize, he did not assume that untrained men could govern. Believed instead in natural aristocracy of virtue and talent. But still, Jefferson played very strongly the r ole of party leader. Although appointed many Federalists, all important people = Republican.

--Republican Politics: More passive Federal policy than Hamilton. But Administration also found that it could repudiate commitments of predecessors only at risk of confusion. Thus, let much of Hamilton's program die naturally. Even tried to get more s upport for himself from banking, commercial, and industrial interests. Called these economic pursuits, along with agriculture, the 4 pillars of our prosperity.

--But still, took down many Federalist bastions: Alien and Sedition, the late judiciary act of 1801. Pressed impeachment proceedings against several judges.

-Tried to effect a significant change in fiscal policy: strove to reduce national debt. Whittled down bureaucracy, cut down armed forces.

Ferment in the West

--The Westward Movement: Generous new land act prompted heavy migration. Most of farmers, though, = not after self-sufficiency; rather, after cash-crops, $. Indians = kicked onff their land in scramble for most fertile soil.

--The Problem of Transportation: Jefferson built National Road across Appalachians. But Louisiana and New Orleans = threatening to come under Napoleon. If Mississippi = closed again, there would be much trouble.

--The Louisiana Purchase: France already got Louisiana from Spain! But already wanted to get rid of it, since had his hands full in Europe, and gave up hopes of American empire. So when Jefferson sent delegation to negotiate purchase of New Orleands, they bought all of Louisiana. Despite arguments of constitutionality, etc, agreement = passed, 1803.

--Westward Exploration: Lewis and Clarke Expedition, 1804. Strengthened American claim to Oregon country.

Political Complications

--Jefferson could not win over the young Federalists, but Federalists could never overcome the elitist image Jefferson fized on them. But still made important contributions to 2-party system.

--Factionalism within Republicn Party: personal rivalries. --Aaron Burr: Jefferson estranged him. He ==> desperate for anything that could help his political future. Burr = involved in extreme plot to make NY and NE into independent northern state, and this lost him his governorship of NY. Burr killed Hamilton, who exposed the plot. Jefferson replaced Burr in 1804, and crushed discredited Federalists. Burr finally went on some wild goosechase for some treasonous thing, wsa caught, and tried. But acquitted.

Trouble on the High Seas

--War and American Trade: Jefferson tried to keep America clear of entanglement with Old World politics. But since much of American econom depended on European market for American food, involvement = inevitable. In 1803-1814, Britain and France = at w ar, and neither would allow trade with the other. American shipping = taking losses as a neutral.

--The Embargo: Jefferson asked that America try not to get involved. Instead, pushed passage of Embargo Act, 1807, by which America's ships = grounded in home ports. Economy = hurt bad, and Act = revoked.

Decision For War

--James Madison easily won Presidency in 1808

--The Failure of Diplomacy: Despite more efforts, could not get peaceable lowering of French and British blockades on each another. But just as barriers = about to be lowered, Madison declared war on GBr. Federalists, though, opposed him: Britain = st ill major trading parter, defender of conservatism, stability, and Napoleon.

--Aims of Prowar Republicans: Still, most Americans = for war, to revenge insults Americans suffered at foreign hands. Vindication of national honor. Also, American commerce, entire economy = hurt by British practices. Small group of pro-war Republica ns formed War Hawks. Meanwhile, Southern and Western expansion = really pushing Indians, who fought back in 1811. Republicans claimed that Indians = receiving arms from GBr through Canada. Thus, call for war expanded to include conquest of Canada. Narrow vote approved war.

The War of 1812

--National Unpreparedness: TINY navy to face world's best. But Republicans = hoping for more of a land war. Large recruitment of soldiers, but response = poor, and army = old and incompetent. Finance = hard to engineer: Bank = gone, and state banks = ill-equipped to handle government loans. Govt bonds sold only at reduced price and at high interest.

--The Military Campaigns: Plans for invasion of Canada = a fiasco. But eventually got control of Great Lakes, and defeated Indians of NW. Napoleon = exiled to Elba, 1814, and British = able to devote efforts to America. Tried to launch invasions at 3 points: Niagra, Champlain, and New Orleans. Burned Washington, 1814. Canadian frontier = at stalemate. In SW, Jackson somehow broke Indians and fended New Orleans off from British. Throughout, US navy = winning in single-ship combat, but British blockade ground American commerce, and thus, much of economy to a halt.

--Disaffection in NE: Antiwar Federalists = feeling right, betraed by their own govrnment. New Englnders = trading with British. Federlists NEnglanders called convention of NE states to consider amendments to constitution. They did so in Hartford Conv ention, but when brought their resolutions to Wsahington, the nation = rejoicing Jackson's victories. Thus, Federalists came to symbolize narrow, selfish provincialism, and Federlists died with War. Ironically, though, NE = the only region that profited f rom the war: impetus to industry, influx of gold to its banks.

Peace Negotiations

--The Treaty of Ghent, 1814: British at first demanded outrageous conditions that threatened America's independence. But with loss of Great Lakes and tired British public, their position = untenable. Eventually agreed to return to status quo. But stil l, Americans remembered the war as a victory. Remembered only the victories. Also, rise in manufacturing made America more self-sufficient. Greater feeling of national identity.

--Postwar settlements: 1815: a commercial treaty removed most of restrictions on Anglo-American trade. Almost complete naval disarmament of Great Lakes (Rush-Bagot, 1817), eventually leading to disarmament of entire border. 49th parallel. Spain gave u p Florida, and drew up favorble boundary to Louisiana: 1819, Adams-Onis Treaty.