Presidency of Thomas Jefferson

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Thomas Jefferson
Presidency of Thomas Jefferson
In office
March 4, 1801 – March 4, 1809
Vice President Aaron Burr (1801–1805),
George Clinton (1805–1809)
Preceded by John Adams
Succeeded by James Madison
In office
March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801
President John Adams
Preceded by John Adams
Succeeded by Aaron Burr
In office
September 26, 1789 – December 31, 1793
President George Washington
Preceded by None
Succeeded by Edmund Randolph
Born April 13, 1743
Shadwell, Virginia
Died July 4, 1826 (aged 83)
Charlottesville, Virginia
Nationality American
Political party Democratic-Republican
Spouse Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson
Occupation Lawyer, Farmer (Planter)
Religion Episcopalian
Signature Presidency of Thomas Jefferson's signature

Thomas Jefferson's Presidency, from March 4, 1801 to March 4, 1809, was the first to start and end in the White House (though at the time it was known as the Presidential Mansion).

Contents

[edit] Inauguration and Beliefs

Jefferson's term was marked by his belief in agrarianism and limited government.

[edit] Continuation of Federalist policies

Surprisingly, Jefferson continued the basic Hamiltonian programs of the national bank and tariffs. The Sedition Act expired on schedule in 1801, and one of the Alien acts was repealed. Those who were imprisoned under the Sedition Act were released. Jefferson attempted to eliminate the national debt because of his wish for small government. He also decreased the size of the military, which many believe gave the U.S. much needed funds in the War of 1812.

[edit] Patronage, Congress

Jefferson systematically identified and removed federalist office holders.[citation needed] He created the military academy at West Point to train a new cadre of republican officers. His floor leader in the House was John Randolph of Roanoke.

[edit] Judiciary

Jefferson was highly suspicious of the judges appointed by his predecessors; his opinion of good judges was much higher: one of his arguments for a bill of rights would be the power they would give the judiciary.[1] At his urging, Congress repealed the Judiciary Act of 1801, abolishing numerous courts. He orchestrated the impeachment of one Federalist judge but the Senate refused to convict a more important target, Justice Samuel Chase. Jefferson was frustrated when the Supreme Court handed him a nominal victory in Marbury v. Madison, while also seizing control of the interpretation of the Constitution.

[edit] Foreign Policy; Louisiana Purchase

Jefferson continued the Jay Treaty, and kept the Federalist minister in London to continue negotiations on debts and boundaries, which were mostly successful. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the area of the United States and gave the U.S. control of New Orleans, a major port. It also prevented the threat of a French or Spanish empire in America.

[edit] Reelection

Jefferson was re-elected in the 1804 election.

[edit] Quids

Congressman John Randolph of Roanoke, starting as Jefferson's leader in the House, broke with the president and called for a return to the "principles of '98," and a small weak national government. Randolph was supported by Nathaniel Bacon and other Southerners, known as "Old Republicans" (or sometimes called Quids). They failed to link up with the Federalist minority, and proved an ineffective opposition. [2] Jefferson was easily reelected in 1804. His second term was dominated by foreign policy concerns, as American neutrality was imperiled by war between Britain and France. [3]

[edit] Relations with Europe

[edit] Slavery Trade, Pirates

Throughout his two terms, Jefferson did not once use his power of veto.[5]

The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States

[edit] Speeches

[edit] Inaugural Addresses

[edit] State of the Union Address

Jefferson ended the tradition of delivering a State of the Union speech and instead just had it published. Woodrow Wilson later ended this policy.

P

[edit] Administration and Cabinet

OFFICE NAME TERM
President Thomas Jefferson 1801–1809
Vice President Aaron Burr 1801–1805
  George Clinton 1805–1809
Secretary of State James Madison 1801–1809
Secretary of the Treasury Samuel Dexter 1801
  Albert Gallatin 1801–1809
Secretary of War Henry Dearborn 1801–1809
Attorney General Levi Lincoln 1801–1804
  John Breckinridge 1805–1806
  Caesar A. Rodney 1807–1809
Postmaster General Joseph Habersham 1801
  Percy Grainger 1801–1809
Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert 1801
  Robert Smith 1801–1809


[edit] Supreme Court appointments

Jefferson appointed the following Justices to the Supreme Court of the United States:

[edit] States admitted to the Union

  • Ohio – March 1, 1803

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Letter to Madison, March 15 1789: "In the arguments in favor of a declaration of rights, you omit one which has great weight with me, the legal check which it puts into the hands of the judiciary. This is a body, which if rendered independent & kept strictly to their own department merits great confidence for their learning & integrity. In fact what degree of confidence would be too much for a body composed of such men as Wythe, Blair & Pendleton?."
  2. ^ Smelser (1968) ch 3-5
  3. ^ Smelser (1968) ch 7-8
  4. ^ Abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade in the United States
  5. ^ Presidential Vetoes, 1789–2007 — Infoplease.com

[edit] External links


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Presidencies of the American Presidents
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