President Thomas Jefferson

1801-1809

Resume'Author of Declaration of Independence Governor of Virginia U.S. Ambassador to France 1st Secretary of State of the U.S. Vice-President of U.S. (1797-1801) Assissted in writing the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions Architect who designed his own house (can be seen on the "tails" side of a nickel) Credited with 14 inventions and innovations.

Consider this:

Shoud a leader go against his or her own stated principles to accomplish something for the good of the group?   Should a leader let his or her own personal stated principles get in the way of accomplishing something for the good of the group?

Jefferson's Home

             Monticello, in Charlottesville, VA

Minor accomplishments as President

-Reduced National Debt -Cut Army and Navy budgets -Repealed Whiskey Tax                                               The U.S.flag during Jefferson's Presidency

 -Started U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY -Banned Importation of slaves -Ohio admitted to the Union (1803)

Barbary WarThe Pirates living along the Barbary Coast (in North Africa near modern day Libya) had been paid by the U.S. since Washington's time for protection along the North African coast. Jefferson refused to continue payments and the Barbary States declared war.  U.S. Marines captured the Barbary city of Tripoli, and eventually forced a peace settlement. The war is immortalized in the first line of the Marine Hymn: "From the Halls of Montezuma,To the shores of Tripoli,"

Louisiana Purchase1801- Napoleon Bonaparte of France conquers Spain, who owns the Louisiana Territory, including the port of New Orleans. 1802 - France closes New Orleans to American traffic, cutting off western farmers' main market for crops. Jefferson sends diplomats to France with an offer to buy New Orleans for $10 million.   1803 - Napoleon, short on money, offered to sell ALL of Louisiana for $15 million.  Jefferson agreed, and doubled the size of the U.S. for the price of 3 cents an acre.  Jefferson sends Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the new territory.

Lewis and Clark's "Corps of Discovery"

Ordered to find the source of the Missouri River, and (if possible) the Northwest Passage to Asia. Also ordered to make a detailed record of all plant and animal life, physical geography, weather patterns, and take as many samples of plant and animal life as possible. Further ordered to establish (if possible) friendly relations with all Native American nations they encountered.

Film Quiz• How many men died during the Lewis and Clark

expedition?

• What were the men ordered to do if they encountered unfriendly Indians that outnumbered them?

• Where was the expedition when they found out that the Northwest Passage through North America did not exist?

• How much meat per day did each man consume during the voyage?

Embargo Act

In 1805, Britain and France (who were at war with each other) began seizing American ships on the high seas and impressing (forcing) American sailors into the service of the British and French Navies.  

In 1807, Jefferson passed the Embargo Act, banning all foreign trade.

The "Ograbme" stopping a smuggler.

Embargo results:

The embargo was an disaster, dealing a harsh blow to the American economy, which relied heavily on shipping and foreign trade.  Northeasterners ignored it. Neither Britain nor France changed their policies.