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Election of 1800
Thomas Jefferson became President and Aaron Burr became Vice President in the election of 1800. This election occurred because every four years there is an election for a Presidential and Vice Presidential position. People voted for the election throughout the states. It started October 31 and ended December 3, 1800 -
The Judiciary Act of 1801
Just before Jefferson took office, Federalists in Congress passed the Judiciary Act, set up a system of courts, so President John Adams could make hundreds of appointments during his last days as President. This would block Jefferson from making appointments and made sure the federalists controlled the courts. This event occurred February 13, 1801. -
War with Tripoli
The ruler of Tripoli demanded the U.S. for even more money to pay tribute. President Jefferson refused causing Tripoli to declare war with the U.S. The war was fought in North African waters. It lasted from May 10,1801 to June 1805. -
Th French Threat
The Spanish ended the policy allowing Americans to move freely in the Louisiana Territory which was owned by Spain at the time. Before Americans used this territory to trade on the lower Mississippi and in New Orleans. In 1802, the policy ended because Spain and France had secretly agreed to transfer the Louisiana territory to France. This agreement posed a serious threat to the U.S. -
Marbury vs. Madison
Marbury vs. Madison was a court case which established the three principles of judicial review. This case was caused because Thomas Jefferson told James Madison not to deliver certain commisions to certain people including William Marbury who asked the Supreme Court to force its delivery. In February of 1803, the Supreme Court decided the landmark case. -
Louisiana Purchase
Napoleon eventually put the Louisiana Territory for sale because he needed money to finance his war against Britain so he solved his money problem by selling the territory for $15 million. Thomas Jefferson believed it was something we could not miss so he used the help of the Senate to buy the land. The territory doubled the size of America. The treaty dates back to the 30th of April. -
Saint Domingue is Free
Napoleon believed Saint Domingue could be an important naval base from which he could control such an empire. But enslaved Africans and other laborers led by Toussaint L'Ouverture drove Napoleon out of the country. Once the rebels won they declared the colony an independent republic on January 1, 1804. -
Federalists Plan to Secede
In 1804, a group of Federalists in Massachusetts wanted to secede from the union because they believed the westward expansion would weaken New England's power. They needed a powerful figure in New York to support them so their confederacy could last. They chose Aaron Burr. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
In the Spring of 1804 Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and a small group of explorers began traveling up the Missouri River. President Jefferson sent them to the territory to learn about their new land and hopefully find and map the fabled Northwest Passage. By the end of their trip, it was September 1806 and they collected valuable information about people, plants, and geography of the west. -
Hamilton and Burr
Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel on July 7 of 1804 because Hamilton accused Burr of plotting treason. Hamilton was shot and killed by Burr in New Jersey during the duel. -
Violating Neutral Rights
By not taking sides the U.S. was able to trade with both France and Britain when they were at war. The U.S. had neutral rights meaning ships could sail the seas and not take sides. But just after 2 years, 1805, Britain and France were each trying to block the other from trading with America. France would search and seize ships trading with Britain and the British would block the French coast and threatened to search all ships trading with France. -
Pike's Expedition
Zebulon Pike led two journeys heading west. He traveled though the upper Mississippi valley into present-day Colorado. He also traveled across Northern Mexico and what is now Texas. Pike explored the southern regions of the territory because Lewis and Clark were exploring the Northern parts. The journey began 1805 and ended 1807. -
British Abuse American Shipping
By 1807 British desperately needed sailors for their naval war, many of their sailors had deserted due to the inhumane living conditions. Britain began searching American trade ships for deserters. They took some deserters but they also took native-born American citizens. The British often waited outside harbors to search possible deserters. -
Attack on Chesapeake
On May 22, 1807 a British ship demanded to search an American ship for deserters at Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake's captain refused so the British opened fire killing three American crew members. -
Embargo Act
The Embargo Act banned all trade with all foreign states because Britain violated America's neutral rights and attacked American ships at Chesapeake Bay which caused Jefferson to take much stronger measures. It started in December 1807 and ended March 1809 because of how much it was a disaster.
