Jefferson's First Term Overview

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Questions and Answers

What was the result of Chief Justice John Marshall's decision in Marbury v. Madison?

It allowed Marbury to take his position as justice of the peace.

It established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review. (correct)

It repealed the Judiciary Act of 1789.

It increased the power of Congress over the judiciary.

What prompted Thomas Jefferson to challenge the Judiciary Act?

The repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801.

Marbury's successful petition to the Supreme Court.

The appointment of 'midnight judges' by John Adams. (correct)

Madison's refusal to sign the commission.

Which power was not recognized for the Supreme Court until the Marbury v. Madison case?

The power to issue commissions.

The power to declare federal laws invalid. (correct)

The power to appoint lower court judges.

The power to review state laws.

What was a significant action taken by Jefferson in response to the actions of the pasha of Tripoli?

He initiated a naval blockade and bombardment of Tripoli. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary cornerstone of Jefferson's foreign policy?

Maintaining peace and avoiding war. Signup and view all the answers

What event marked a major change in the status of the Supreme Court in American politics?

The decision in Marbury v. Madison. Signup and view all the answers

What was Jefferson's approach to resolving threats posed by the Barbary pirates?

Launching military actions and submitting to ransom demands. Signup and view all the answers

Which event led to the United States agreeing to pay a ransom to resolve the conflict with Tripoli?

The capture of American soldiers and sailors. Signup and view all the answers

What was Jefferson’s foreign policy concerning the North African states primarily characterized by?

Negotiation and establishing peace. Signup and view all the answers

What was Napoleon Bonaparte's goal regarding North America?

To reestablish the French empire in North America. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the coleader of the Corps of Discovery?

William Clark Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary purpose of the Lewis and Clark expedition?

To explore and map the newly acquired territory Signup and view all the answers

Which Native American woman accompanied the expedition?

Sacajawea Signup and view all the answers

What significance did the journals kept by Lewis and Clark have?

They offered insight into the geography and cultures of the trans-Mississippi west. Signup and view all the answers

Which tribes were the expedition trying to impress with gifts and medallions?

Shoshone Signup and view all the answers

What was a challenge faced by Zebulon Pike during his expedition?

His maps were erroneous due to geographical complexity. Signup and view all the answers

When did the Corps of Discovery reach the Pacific coast?

November 1805 Signup and view all the answers

What was the relationship of Toussaint Charbonneau to Sacajawea?

Husband Signup and view all the answers

Which river did Robert Gray explore in 1792 leading to the American claim to the Oregon Country?

Columbia River Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable aspect of the Corps of Discovery's winter with the Mandan tribe?

They were well-received and supported. Signup and view all the answers

What treaty was negotiated between the United States and Spain that involved the Louisiana Territory?

Treaty of San Ildefonso Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did a Spanish official in New Orleans take that alarmed Jefferson?

He forbade the deposit of American produce for transshipment. Signup and view all the answers

Who did Jefferson send to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans and West Florida?

James Monroe Signup and view all the answers

What was Napoleon's reason for the willingness to sell all of Louisiana?

He had given up his plans for a colonial empire. Signup and view all the answers

What concern did Jefferson have regarding American expansion?

He feared France might block westward expansion. Signup and view all the answers

What amount did the United States pay for the Louisiana Territory?

$15 million Signup and view all the answers

What was Jefferson unsure about concerning the purchase of Louisiana?

Whether it was constitutional to purchase land. Signup and view all the answers

Who was appointed to head the expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory?

Meriwether Lewis Signup and view all the answers

What significant size increase did the United States experience after the Louisiana Purchase?

Doubled in size Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the many unknown aspects of the Louisiana Territory at the time of purchase?

Its geographic features such as rivers and mountains Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of Thomas Jefferson's inauguration as president?

The reduction of military expenses and governmental spending Signup and view all the answers

How did the Judiciary Act of 1801 affect the Supreme Court?

It decreased the number of justices from six to five Signup and view all the answers

Which policy was NOT part of Jefferson's efforts to manage the national debt?

Increasing internal taxes Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the Louisiana Purchase during Jefferson's presidency?

It doubled the size of the country and intensified slavery debates Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jefferson not dismantle the Bank of the United States?

He saw it as functioning effectively Signup and view all the answers

In which way did Jefferson fill federal positions during his presidency?

He filled vacancies with supporters as they became available Signup and view all the answers

What did Albert Gallatin aim to achieve as Jefferson's Secretary of the Treasury?

Eliminate the national debt in sixteen years Signup and view all the answers

What was a central achievement of the Republican party during Jefferson's first term?

The peace and stability of the nation Signup and view all the answers

What was a critical political issue that arose from the admission of Maine and Missouri?

The escalation of slavery into a national debate Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Jefferson's governance showed continuity with Federalist policies?

The maintenance of the Bank of the United States Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Jefferson's Inauguration and Political Landscape

Thomas Jefferson's inauguration as the third president marked a pivotal shift in American politics with the rise of Republican leadership.
The Federalist Party's influence waned, but their ideology persisted, particularly in Supreme Court decisions.
The judiciary gained coequal status with the legislative and executive branches after 1800.

Territorial Expansion

The Republican period led to the U.S. doubling in size through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the entry of eight new states from 1803 to 1821.
The admission of Maine and Missouri ignited debates over the expansion of slavery, intensifying sectional conflicts prior to the Civil War.

Economic Policies

Jefferson was concerned about the national debt increase under Federalist rule; he aimed to eliminate it in 16 years via reduced military and government spending.
Internal taxes, particularly the excise tax on whiskey, were repealed, decreasing governmental expenditure and national debt early in his administration.
Although a strict constructionist, Jefferson maintained key Federalist programs, such as the Bank of the United States, and did not aggressively replace Federalist officeholders.

Judicial Influence

The Federalist Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1801, reducing Supreme Court justices and adding Federalist judges just before Jefferson's term.
The "midnight judges" controversy led to the Marbury v. Madison case, where Chief Justice John Marshall established the principle of judicial review, empowering the Supreme Court to invalidate federal laws conflicting with the Constitution.

Barbary Wars

American merchant ships faced pirate attacks from North African states; Jefferson initially pursued peaceful resolutions but took military action after Tripoli declared war in 1801.
The conflict ended in 1805 with a treaty that included a ransom for captured U.S. soldiers.

The Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Territory was secretly transferred back to France via the Treaty of San Ildefonso, raising American concerns about access to the Mississippi and New Orleans.
Jefferson sent diplomats to negotiate for New Orleans but were instead offered the entire Louisiana Territory (280,000 square miles) for $15 million due to Napoleon's changes in colonial strategy.
Jefferson's constitutional hesitance about land purchases was overridden by the lucrative deal, resulting in the Senate's ratification of the purchase.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Louisiana Purchase's geography was largely unknown; Jefferson commissioned the expedition led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Lieutenant William Clark in 1804.
The Corps of Discovery documented flora, fauna, and Native American cultures, reinforcing American claims to the Oregon Country and stimulating future settlement and trade.
They traveled with a Shoshone guide, Sacajawea, which helped foster relations with Native tribes encountered during the journey.
Other explorations, such as Zebulon Pike's missions, were also authorized, although they yielded mixed accuracy in mapping.

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Description

Explore the significant events and impacts of Thomas Jefferson's first term as the third president of the United States. This quiz dives into the transition of American politics, the decline of the Federalists, and the evolving role of the judiciary during this pivotal era.