The Age of Jefferson Chapter 6.1

Early American Government

Under Jefferson's

Leadership

Constitutional Goals and Early Administration

Constitutional Goals and Early Administration

●Understanding the Constitution's primary goals

●Establish justice

●Ensure domestic tranquility

●Provide common defense

●Promote general welfare

Jefferson's Presidency: Principles vs. Practice

●Jefferson's core principles:

●Limited federal government

●Strict interpretation of Constitution

●States' rights

●Actions as President:

●Louisiana Purchase

●Federal power expansion

Question: How did Jefferson's presidential actions align with his political
philosophy?

Open Ended

Question: How did Jefferson's presidential actions align with his political
philosophy?

The Louisiana Purchase (1803)

●Territory acquired: 828,000 square miles

●Cost: ($15) million

●Key benefits:

●Doubled U.S. territory

●Control of Mississippi River

●Access to New Orleans port

Constitutional debate over purchase authority

Open Ended

Name one thing you just learned about the Louisiana Purchase

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

●Background:

●"Midnight judges" appointed by Adams

●Jefferson's refusal to deliver commissions

●Key players:

●William Marbury

●James Madison

●Chief Justice John Marshall

Impact of Marbury v. Madison

●Established judicial review

●Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional

●Balance of power between branches

Question: Why is judicial review significant in American democracy?

Open Ended

Why is judicial review significant in American democracy?

Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)

●Purpose:

●Explore Louisiana Territory

●Find Northwest Passage

●Document resources and geography

●Key participants:

●Meriwether Lewis

●William Clark

●Sacagawea

Open Ended

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

Legacy of Jefferson's Administration

●Territorial expansion

●Supreme Court empowerment

●Democratic principles

●Scientific exploration

●Native American relations

Assessment and Review

●Key achievements:

●Louisiana Purchase

●Lewis and Clark Expedition

●Judicial Review establishment

●Constitutional impact:

●Executive power expansion

●Judicial authority

Critical thinking discussion: Did Jefferson strengthen or weaken constitutional
principles?