Jeffersonian Era Notes

• Who was Jefferson's opponent in the Election of 1800?

  John Adams
• Who wins the popular vote?

  Jefferson wins the popular vote
• How was the Vice President determined?

  Usually, the runner up got it
• Why did the Electoral College cast many votes for Aaron Burr?

  They wanted Burr to be the Vice President
• How did this create a problem?

  This created a tie and they had to pick the President
• Who had to choose the President now?

  The House of Representatives
• Who were many of the Federalists thinking of choosing?

  Aaron Burr
• How does Alexander Hamilton help Jefferson?

  He urged Federalists to vote for Jefferson so that he would win (cause he had beef with Burr)
• What are three things Jefferson did upon becoming President?

  • Pardoned those convicted under the Alien and Sedition Acts
  • Eliminated excise taxes
  • Reduced size of the government, reducing national debt
• How did the Judiciary Act impact the Supreme Court?

  It reduced the Supreme Court from 6 Justices to 5.
• What did John Adams do before he left office?

  He appointed many judges in the last days of his Presidency, many being Federalists
• Why were these people called the "Midnight Judges?"


  Because Adams did it last minute. At the very last possible second.
• Who was William Marbury?

  One of the "Midnight Judges"
• Why did Jefferson not want to give him the job promised by Adams?

  Because he was a Federalist, not a Jeffersonian
• What does Marbury do?

  He took the case to the Supreme Court
• How did the court decide?

  Against Marbury, declaring the Judiciary Act as unconstitutional
• Why is this considered a landmark case?

  It set a precedent; established the power of Judicial review
• Why was Jefferson concerned about Napoleon and the French?

  Napoleon had dreams of a global empire and had recently gained control of the Louisiana Territory
• What does Jefferson decide to do?

  Jefferson tries to buy the Orleans Territory from France for $10 million
• What happens that influences Napoleon's decision?

  Napoleon was losing a lot of battles and men, there was a major uprising in Haiti, and they were constantly battling Britain
• What is the final deal that is made?

  The entire Louisiana Territory was sold for $15 million (3 cents an acre)
• What position does Aaron Burr decide to run for?

  Governor of New York (because he disliked the VP position)
• How does Alexander Hamilton influence this election?

  He encourages voters to not vote for Burr (because they were beefing)
• How does Burr react?

  Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel
• What happens next?


  They both fired by Hamilton missed; he later died from his injuries sustained from the duel. They ruined Burr's reputation and career in politics