American Expansion

Chapter 10

Jefferson as PresidentThomas Jefferson and the Republicans in

Power– Jefferson took office as the 3rd President

of the United States in 1801• Republicans also took control of the

House and Senate (from the Federalists)• *This was huge as Americans saw that

leadership could change hands peacefully in a young nation

– Jefferson’s inaugural address• Stated that he would support the will of

the majority, but the rights of the minority must be protected (assured the Federalists that party politics would not interfere in running the government

Washington D.C. • Washington D.C. served as the capital (Jefferson

hoped the city would remain independent of any particular state)

Jefferson’s cabinet and policies• Jefferson replaced some Federalists in his cabinet

with Republicans (he also changed some Federalist policies)

• To repay the national debt – cut back on military spending

• To improve the economy – wanted to repeal some taxes (whiskey tax)

• Left the Bank of the United States alone (it was practical and working)

Marbury vs. Madison

– President John Adams appointed many judges just hours before his term expired (these are known as midnight appointments)

– Some of the judges did not receive their commissions by the deadline

– Jefferson didn’t like the idea and tried to replace William Marbury since he wasn’t notified in time

• Marbury took the case to the Supreme Court– In the Judiciary Act of 1789, one of the powers given to the

Supreme Court was the right to force the federal government to give Marbury his commission

Marbury v. Madison (Madison was Secretary of State)

– The Supreme Court ruled that Marbury had the right to the judgeship

– It also admitted that it could not force Jefferson to give Marbury the job

• This made the Judiciary Act on 1789 unconstitutional• * surprising because this actually took away some of the

Supreme Court Power

Judicial Review• This established judicial review, meaning that the Supreme

Court has the right to declare an act of Congress to be unconstitutional

– This give the Supreme Court greater power in the national government