Early National Period, part one
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| Early National Period Poem |
Quite a bit transpired during the early 1800s! The election of 1800 pitted our nation's second president, John Adams (Federalist), against his former Vice President, Thomas Jefferson (Anti-Federalist). When Jefferson defeated Adams to become the third president of the United States, it was one of the first times that power was transferred peacefully from one political party to another. In history, for one political group to take power over another, it has usually taken bits and bits of violence...the election of 1800 marked a significant change away from that.
During Jefferson's presidency, his goal was to limit the powers of the presidency (as an Anti-Federalist would). Instead, he actually increased the presidential power significantly when he purchased the Louisiana territory from France, without first getting approval from Congress! This purchase was a great one, however. It doubled the size of our country, and only cost three cents per acre! Jefferson sent two men, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore this territory.
Our fourth president, James Madison, was the next to take office. It was during his presidency that the War of 1812 took place, marking one of the most significant events of his tenure. The cause of the war? Well, Britain and France were constantly fighting at the time, and the U.S. was exporting products to both sides. Soon, British ships began kidnapping (impressment) American sailors and forcing them into their navy. This was an embarrassment and Madison's response was war. This war included many events, including the burning of the White House, the writing of the Star Spangled Banner, and the emergence of a war hero, whose greatest battle was fought two weeks after the war ended! That man's name, by the way, is Andrew Jackson.
Finally, in this unit you will learn about the expansion of the judicial branch of government. Chief Justice John Marshall of the Supreme Court decided many cases in his day, but among the most important were Marbury vs. Madison (1803), McCollough vs. Maryland (1819), and Gibbons vs. Ogden (1824) .
During Jefferson's presidency, his goal was to limit the powers of the presidency (as an Anti-Federalist would). Instead, he actually increased the presidential power significantly when he purchased the Louisiana territory from France, without first getting approval from Congress! This purchase was a great one, however. It doubled the size of our country, and only cost three cents per acre! Jefferson sent two men, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore this territory.
Our fourth president, James Madison, was the next to take office. It was during his presidency that the War of 1812 took place, marking one of the most significant events of his tenure. The cause of the war? Well, Britain and France were constantly fighting at the time, and the U.S. was exporting products to both sides. Soon, British ships began kidnapping (impressment) American sailors and forcing them into their navy. This was an embarrassment and Madison's response was war. This war included many events, including the burning of the White House, the writing of the Star Spangled Banner, and the emergence of a war hero, whose greatest battle was fought two weeks after the war ended! That man's name, by the way, is Andrew Jackson.
Finally, in this unit you will learn about the expansion of the judicial branch of government. Chief Justice John Marshall of the Supreme Court decided many cases in his day, but among the most important were Marbury vs. Madison (1803), McCollough vs. Maryland (1819), and Gibbons vs. Ogden (1824) .
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The Election of 1800The video to the left includes all of the notes and the information on the Election of 1800. The most important thing to understand about this election is that it involved the first peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another. Understand the significance of this, as well as who was involved!
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The Jefferson Presidency
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Use either of the files below in order to fill out the notes on the Jefferson administration.
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The Marshall court
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Marbury vs. Madison (1803)In John Adams' final hours as president, he appoints a series of federal judges, including William Marbury. However, the paperwork is not sent off, and the incoming president (Thomas Jefferson) and his Secretary of State (James Madison) refuse to send off the paperwork. Should William Marbury be allowed to become a federal judge, or are Madison/Jefferson right in withholding the commission? Find out, in this case!
McCullough vs. Maryland (1819)In the early 1800s, Maryland banks were state run, meaning their revenue would go directly back towards the state itself. However, in 1816, Congress opened the First National Bank in the city of Philadelphia, and by 1817, they opened the Second National Bank in Baltimore, Maryland. This National Bank would run many state banks out of business and cost the state of Maryland a significant amount of money. The state government decided to issue a high tax on non-state chartered banks, such as this one. Should the federal government have to pay taxes to the state? Find out in this case!
Gibbons vs. Ogden (1824)Two steamboat operators, Aaron Ogden and Thomas Gibbons, operate on the same river in New York City. Ogden has been granted an exclusive license by New York state to run his ships on that route, and argues that since Gibbons does not have that license, he should not be allowed. Gibbons, whose route runs between New Jersey and New York says that trade between states (interstate commerce) is something that Congress is in charge of, not the states. Find out what happens in this case by clicking to the left!
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ThE War of 1812
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Watch the video to the left, and fill out the Video notes (below).
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