The Louisiana Godsend
This section discusses the Louisiana Purchase, a significant territorial acquisition during Jefferson's presidency. Spain ceded the Mississippi region to France, leading to concerns about American access to the Mississippi River.
Highlight: The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States for $15 million, or about 3 cents per acre.
Jefferson initially sought to buy New Orleans or ally with Britain but ended up purchasing the entire Louisiana Territory from Napoleon in 1803. This acquisition led to the Lewis and Clark expedition, which provided new scientific observations, maps, and knowledge of Native American tribes.
The Aaron Burr Conspiracies
Aaron Burr, after losing the presidential election, became involved in several conspiracies:
- He plotted with Federalist extremists to secede New England and New York.
- He killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel after Hamilton exposed his plot.
- He worked with General James Wilkinson to separate the western U.S. from the east.
Quote: "Burr was arrested and tried for treason" but was ultimately acquitted.
America: A Nutcrackered Neutral
This section explores America's challenging position as a neutral nation during the Napoleonic Wars. The conflict between Britain and France led to policies that infringed on American trading rights.
Vocabulary: Impressment refers to the British practice of forcibly recruiting American sailors into the Royal Navy.
The Chesapeake affair, where a British warship attacked an American frigate, further strained relations.
The Hated Embargo
Jefferson's response to these challenges was the Embargo Act of 1807, which forbade the export of all goods from the U.S.
Highlight: The embargo was a significant failure of Jefferson's presidency, as it severely damaged the American economy and was deeply unpopular.
The embargo's unintended consequence was the opening of new factories, laying the foundation for America's industrialization. Congress repealed the embargo on March 1, 1809, replacing it with the Non-Intercourse Act.
