Jeffersonian Democracy
#3 President Thomas Jefferson
Foreign Policy
The Louisiana Purchase
In 1803 President Jefferson acted against his own belief of his presidential authority when he made the historic purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France. For a total cost of $15 million the United States acquired the vast territory stretching from the Mississippi River westward to the Rocky Mountains.
The purchase more than doubled the size of the United States.
The purchase more than doubled the size of the United States.
Video: The Barbary Pirates
Video Questions
- How are modern day pirates similar to pirates in the 19th century?
- How did most nations deal with the piracy of the 19th century?
- How did Jefferson change the American policy of dealing with the Barbary pirates?
- What lessons could nations learn from the past in dealing with the piracy of the present?
Domestic Policy
Corps of Discovery
In 1803 President Jefferson requested that Congress fund an exploratory expedition in to the newly acquired Louisiana territory. The expedition, led by..
Captain Meritwether Lewis and Captain William Clark,
The Corps of Discovery served to...
With over thirty men, the Corps of Discovery set out in 1804 on a two year journey into the vast Louisiana territory. With the help of a native American scout Sacagawea and her French husband, the expedition was able to communicate with the various tribes and trade peacefully to complete their journey. The expedition returned in 1806 with information that served to open the western frontier to expansion and trade.
Captain Meritwether Lewis and Captain William Clark,
The Corps of Discovery served to...
- find a route to the Pacific Ocean,
- map the territory
- foster trade relations with the Indian inhabitants.
With over thirty men, the Corps of Discovery set out in 1804 on a two year journey into the vast Louisiana territory. With the help of a native American scout Sacagawea and her French husband, the expedition was able to communicate with the various tribes and trade peacefully to complete their journey. The expedition returned in 1806 with information that served to open the western frontier to expansion and trade.
EMBARGO ACT of 1807
Great Britain complicated American neutrality when it began attacking American cargo ships. Forcing Americans to serve on British ships, impressment, Britain claimed they were only impressing British deserters although over 5000 American men were forced to serve on British warships. Americans viewed impressment as an attack on American liberty.
In response to British impressment President Jefferson signed the Embargo Act of 1807. The embargo restricted all trade with Great Britain and France until attacks on American shipping stopped. The Embargo Act was very unpopular at home as American exports dramatically declined and American merchants preferred taking their chances at sea rather than being forced by their own government to not engage in foreign trade. Due to pressure from American industry the Embargo Act of 1807 was repealed by Congress in 1809.
Great Britain complicated American neutrality when it began attacking American cargo ships. Forcing Americans to serve on British ships, impressment, Britain claimed they were only impressing British deserters although over 5000 American men were forced to serve on British warships. Americans viewed impressment as an attack on American liberty.
In response to British impressment President Jefferson signed the Embargo Act of 1807. The embargo restricted all trade with Great Britain and France until attacks on American shipping stopped. The Embargo Act was very unpopular at home as American exports dramatically declined and American merchants preferred taking their chances at sea rather than being forced by their own government to not engage in foreign trade. Due to pressure from American industry the Embargo Act of 1807 was repealed by Congress in 1809.