Changes

Much of history is a combination of wars and compromises.

Much of history is a combination of wars and compromises.

'''Election (peaceful “revolution”) of 1800.'''

== Revolution of 1800 ==

Jefferson learned the art of politics by first serving in the House of Burgesses in Virginia (an early Virginia legislative system similar to what became Congress.)  Jefferson was a brilliant writer, but a terrible speaker.  In fact, he avoided public speaking whenever possible.

Jefferson learned the art of politics by first serving in the House of Burgesses in Virginia (an early Virginia legislative system similar to what became Congress.)  Jefferson was a brilliant writer, but a terrible speaker.  In fact, he avoided public speaking whenever possible.

Hamilton had fought Jefferson for over a decade.  But Hamilton knew how Burr was rotten to the core.  So Hamilton persuaded Congress to make Jefferson President.  Some suspect that Jefferson cut a deal with the Federalist Hamilton to act like more like a Federalist as President than he would have otherwise.

Hamilton had fought Jefferson for over a decade.  But Hamilton knew how Burr was rotten to the core.  So Hamilton persuaded Congress to make Jefferson President.  Some suspect that Jefferson cut a deal with the Federalist Hamilton to act like more like a Federalist as President than he would have otherwise.

In 1803, Jefferson appointed the former anti-Federalist [[James Monroe]] to negotiate terms for the purchase of New Orleans and West Florida from France, and to offer $2 million for this land but to go as high as $10 million if necessary.  But by this time, [[Napoleon]] had suffered a costly failure in connection with a slave revolt in [[Haiti]], and he had decided that France should not try to colonize the New World further.  So France asked Monroe how much he would pay for all of France's territory, which included the vast tract of land northwest of Louisiana (stretching all the way along the Missouri River what what is now Oregon on the Pacific coast).  Monroe was able to negotiate extremely favorable terms of $11.25 million to France for all of the property (which translates to only a few pennies per acre), which was equal in size to the entire United States at the time.  The overall purchase price was $15 million because Monroe also agreed that the United States would assume nearly $4 million in debts owed by France to American citizens at the time.

In 1803, Jefferson appointed the former anti-Federalist [[James Monroe]] to negotiate terms for the purchase of New Orleans and West Florida from France, and to offer $2 million for this land but to go as high as $10 million if necessary.  But by this time, [[Napoleon]] had suffered a costly failure in connection with a slave revolt in [[Haiti]], and he had decided that France should not try to colonize the New World further.  So France asked Monroe how much he would pay for all of France's territory, which included the vast tract of land northwest of Louisiana (stretching all the way along the Missouri River what what is now Oregon on the Pacific coast).  Monroe was able to negotiate extremely favorable terms of $11.25 million to France for all of the property (which translates to only a few pennies per acre), which was equal in size to the entire United States at the time.  The overall purchase price was $15 million because Monroe also agreed that the United States would assume nearly $4 million in debts owed by France to American citizens at the time.

Jefferson tried to deal with the British Orders in Council by supporting and signing the Embargo Act in 1807.  That law forbade all exports in a misguided attempt to hurt England.  Jefferson also supported and signed the Nonintercourse Act, which forbade trade with Britain and France while authorizing President Jefferson to end the boycott once the European countries stopped violating the rights of Americans.  These bans on exports were a huge failure, and hurt the American economy without affecting the European countries much.  By the end of Jefferson's two terms in office (a total of 8 years), he was no longer popular and he  followed Washington’s example and resigned in 1809.

Jefferson tried to deal with the British Orders in Council by supporting and signing the Embargo Act in 1807.  That law forbade all exports in a misguided attempt to hurt England.  Jefferson also supported and signed the Nonintercourse Act, which forbade trade with Britain and France while authorizing President Jefferson to end the boycott once the European countries stopped violating the rights of Americans.  These bans on exports were a huge failure, and hurt the American economy without affecting the European countries much.  By the end of Jefferson's two terms in office (a total of 8 years), he was no longer popular and he  followed Washington’s example and resigned in 1809.

In another branch of government, the Supreme Court was expanding its power under Chief Justice [[John Marshall]], a Federalist appointee (by Adams) who served for 35 years.  Virtually every important decision rendered by his Court, starting with ''Marbury v. Madison''.  Marbury v. Madison was a Supreme Court decision by Marshall in 1803, in which the Supreme Court asserted a new power of judicial review to declare an Act of Congress unconstitutional.  There was no "check and balance" on Marshall's expansion in judicial power for decades, until President Andrew Jackson stood up to him and ignored  Marshall’s decision on an Indian issue.   

In another branch of government, the Supreme Court was expanding its power under Chief Justice [[John Marshall]], a Federalist appointee (by Adams) who served for 35 years.  Virtually every important decision rendered by his Court, starting with ''Marbury v. Madison''.  Marbury v. Madison was a Supreme Court decision by Marshall in 1803, in which the Supreme Court asserted a new power of judicial review to declare an Act of Congress unconstitutional.  There was no "check and balance" on Marshall's expansion in judicial power for decades, until President Andrew Jackson stood up to him and ignored  Marshall’s decision on an Indian issue.   

Madison and War of 1812.  Madison was beyond his depth as a president.  Madison was a thinker, not a commander-in-chief.  England was still the most powerful country in the world, and not someone to pick a fight with.  England stayed in Canada and some “War Hawks” in Congress (particularly Henry Clay) accused it of inciting Indian attacks against us.  England was also harassing our sailors and impressing them.  We were humiliated by England invading D.C. and burning down the Capitol and the White House.  Madison’s wife Dolly had to save the portrait of George Washington when they fled the White House.

== The War of 1812 ==

 

James Madison was elected in 1808 to succeed Jefferson.  But Madison was a bit of an egghead, one of the few presidents who did not serve in war as others his age had.  Madison was in over his head as a president.  Madison was a thinker, not a commander-in-chief.  England was still the most powerful country in the world, and not someone to pick a fight with, regardless of what a professor type might think.   

 

England stayed in Canada and some “War Hawks” in Congress (particularly Henry Clay) accused it of inciting Indian attacks against us.  England was also harassing our sailors and impressing them.  We were humiliated by England invading D.C. and burning down the Capitol and the White House.  Madison’s wife Dolly had to save the portrait of George Washington when they fled the White House.

But England didn’t want to continue fighting with the United States.  So on Christmas Eve, England agreed to end the war with the Treaty of Ghent, and the U.S. did not have to give back any land.  Sometimes this is called the Second Revolutionary War to finish off disputes lingering from the first war.

But England didn’t want to continue fighting with the United States.  So on Christmas Eve, England agreed to end the war with the Treaty of Ghent, and the U.S. did not have to give back any land.  Sometimes this is called the Second Revolutionary War to finish off disputes lingering from the first war.

Jackson had settled in Tennessee where there were many woodsmen and hunters.  The Americans in Tennessee and Kentucky had rifles and were very good with them.  They were expert marksmen.  Jackson called up these marksmen to help him in New Orleans against the British.  Those marksmen with their rifles just mowed the British down in the Battle of New Orleans.  Jackson became an overnight hero to the entire country for destroying the British there.

Jackson had settled in Tennessee where there were many woodsmen and hunters.  The Americans in Tennessee and Kentucky had rifles and were very good with them.  They were expert marksmen.  Jackson called up these marksmen to help him in New Orleans against the British.  Those marksmen with their rifles just mowed the British down in the Battle of New Orleans.  Jackson became an overnight hero to the entire country for destroying the British there.

Hartford Convention: meeting of Federalists in Hartford, Connecticut near the end of the war of 1812, in which they drew up plans to oppose the war and perhaps even secede from the United States, out of friendship to England.  We won the war and the Federalists looked like traitors.  This ended the Federalist Party.

Near the end of the war of 1812 there was an extraordinary meeting called the Hartford Convention, at which Federalists convened in Hartford, Connecticut.  They drew up plans to oppose the war and perhaps even secede from the United States, out of friendship to England.  We won the war and the Federalists looked like traitors.  This ended the Federalist Party.

 

The next president after Madison was [[James Monroe]].  He was the most [[conservative]] of the early presidents.  He had even opposed the ratification of the Constitution. He promulgated the “Monroe Doctrine” which said that the European and American systems were fundamentally different, and thus Europe should not colonize America anymore or even interfere in our Hemisphere.  To this day presidents continue to cite the Monroe Doctrine whenever a European country tries to do something over here.

The next president after Madison was [[James Monroe]], who was elected in 1816.  He was the most [[conservative]] of the early presidents.  He so opposed federal power that he had even opposed the ratification of the Constitution! He promulgated the “Monroe Doctrine” which said that the European and American systems were fundamentally different, and thus Europe should not colonize America anymore or even interfere in our Hemisphere.  To this day presidents continue to cite the Monroe Doctrine whenever a European country tries to do something over here.

The “Era of Good Feelings” overtook our country under Monroe’s conservative leadership.  Roads and canals were built.  The economy prospered.  He vetoed the Cumberland Road Bill and the House rejected most spending bills on internal projects.  The U.S. Senate was split evenly:  11 free states and 11 slave states (Delaware and Kentucky were slave states).  A dispute over slavery in new states was peacefully resolved by the Missouri Compromise: admit one free state (Maine) to balance one new slave state (Missouri), and ban slavery above a certain latitude (36 degrees, 30 minutes) in the new Louisiana Territory.

The “Era of Good Feelings” overtook our country under Monroe’s conservative leadership.  Roads and canals were built.  The economy prospered.  He vetoed the Cumberland Road Bill and the House rejected most spending bills on internal projects.  The U.S. Senate was split evenly:  11 free states and 11 slave states (Delaware and Kentucky were slave states).  A dispute over slavery in new states was peacefully resolved by the Missouri Compromise: admit one free state (Maine) to balance one new slave state (Missouri), and ban slavery above a certain latitude (36 degrees, 30 minutes) in the new Louisiana Territory.

After Monroe served two terms and retired just like Washington, a bitter race for president developed.  Jackson started his own Democratic Party and ran against John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts, the son of John Adams.  Other candidates, such as Henry Clay of Kentucky, also ran.  Jackson won more votes than Adams but not enough to become president, so the election went into the House of Representatives.  There Clay struck a bargain with Adams, whereby Clay persuaded Congressmen to vote for Adams and Adams made Clay his Secretary of State.  Jackson (“Old Hickory”) supporters criticized this as the “corrupt bargain” and Jackson crushed Adams four years later.

After Monroe served two terms and retired just like Washington, a bitter race for president developed.  Jackson started his own Democratic Party and ran against John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts, the son of John Adams.  Other candidates, such as Henry Clay of Kentucky, also ran.  Jackson won more votes than Adams but not enough to become president, so the election went into the House of Representatives.  There Clay struck a bargain with Adams, whereby Clay persuaded Congressmen to vote for Adams and Adams made Clay his Secretary of State.  Jackson (“Old Hickory”) supporters criticized this as the “corrupt bargain” and Jackson crushed Adams four years later.

Another tariff was passed in 1828, partly supported by a political attempt to support Jackson.  The free traders in the South were outraged and called this the Tariff of Abominations.  The South Carolina legislature adopted 8 resolutions declaring the tariff to be unconstitutional, oppressive and unjust.  Georgia and Mississippi followed suit.  John Calhoun, as Jackson’s running mate, anonymously wrote the South Carolina Exposition and Protest.

Another tariff was passed in 1828, partly supported by a political attempt to support Jackson.  The free traders in the South were outraged and called this the Tariff of Abominations.  The South Carolina legislature adopted 8 resolutions declaring the tariff to be unconstitutional, oppressive and unjust.  Georgia and Mississippi followed suit.  John Calhoun, as Jackson’s running mate, anonymously wrote the South Carolina Exposition and Protest.

Jackson’s win of the presidency in 1828 was a defining moment in our history.  His inauguration was the triumph of the “common man,” who proceeded to trash the White House in a huge party opened to the public.  Jackson vetoed renewal of the national bank.  He continued to treat the Indians very harshly.  Jackson also created the “spoils system,” whereby “to the victor goes the spoils” (giving jobs to supporters).  Jackson vetoed road projects because he was a strict constitutionalist:  if the power is not expressly in the Constitution, then it did not exist, under this view.

Jackson’s win of the presidency in 1828 was a defining moment in our history.  His inauguration was the triumph of the “common man,” who proceeded to trash the White House in a huge party opened to the public.  Jackson vetoed renewal of the national bank.  He continued to treat the Indians very harshly.  Jackson also created the “spoils system,” whereby “to the victor goes the spoils” (giving jobs to supporters).  Jackson vetoed road projects because he was a strict constitutionalist:  if the power is not expressly in the Constitution, then it did not exist, under this view.

'''Debate:  Can a State nullify an act of Congress?  Can a State secede (withdraw) from the United States?'''

'''Debate:  Can a State nullify an act of Congress?  Can a State secede (withdraw) from the United States?'''

Jackson was disliked and thought to be a tyrant by bankers and pro-British (basically, the former Federalists) that a new political party arose just to defeat Jacksonian Democrats:  the Whig Party.  In the first post-Jackson presidential election, his popularity remained too strong to beat his political party.  President Van Buren, the only American president not of British (including Irish) descent, was elected in 1836 by riding Jackson’s “coattails” (i.e., his popularity).  But Van Buren was hurt by the financial Panic of 1837.  Some felt that the financial panic was due to a lack of a national bank to prevent many local bank failures.  Also during Van Buren’s presidency: Gag rule barring petitions on slavery in Congress.  Elijah Lovejoy was brutally murdered in 1837 across the river from Missouri for criticizing slavery.   

Jackson was disliked and thought to be a tyrant by bankers and pro-British (basically, the former Federalists) that a new political party arose just to defeat Jacksonian Democrats:  the Whig Party.  In the first post-Jackson presidential election, his popularity remained too strong to beat his political party.  President Van Buren, the only American president not of British (including Irish) descent, was elected in 1836 by riding Jackson’s “coattails” (i.e., his popularity).  But Van Buren was hurt by the financial Panic of 1837.  Some felt that the financial panic was due to a lack of a national bank to prevent many local bank failures.  Also during Van Buren’s presidency: Gag rule barring petitions on slavery in Congress.  Elijah Lovejoy was brutally murdered in 1837 across the river from Missouri for criticizing slavery.