History Test- President Thomas Jefferson Flashcards
What President was Jefferson? How long was Jefferson’s term? (What years?) What political party was Jefferson, explain?
Jefferson was the 3rd President of the US. Jefferson’s term was 2 terms for a total of 8 years, 1801-1809- was liked. Jefferson was a Republican and he owned a plantation, supported small farmers, and wanted states to have power.
Where was Jefferson from? Where is that considered to be in? What does that mean?
Jefferson was from Virginia, which is considered to be in the South and that means that Jefferson enslaved people as he was from the South.
Who did Jefferson defeat in order to become President?
Jefferson or a Democratic-Republican (Republican) defeated John Adams.
Who tied in the election of 1800? (How many electoral votes each?) What parties were they?
Jefferson (Republican) and Aaron Burr (Federalist) had a tie in electoral votes- 73 each in the election of 1800.
How did they break the tie between Burr and Jefferson? What is that an example of and why?
In the end, because of Alexander Hamilton’s influence (Hamilton told a congressmen to not vote for Burr), the H.O.R elected Thomas Jefferson as president & Burr is VP. This is an example of country before party because even though Jefferson was not the same party as Hamilton (and Burr was a Federalist), Hamilton thought Jefferson would be a better President. (BIG DEAL!!!!)
Why did Hamilton tell a congressmen to not vote for Burr?
Hamilton told a congressmen to not vote for Burr because Burr did not have any strong beliefs and was a follower, whatever people were doing or told him to do, he would follow and do it.
Why is the election of 1800 known as the disputed election?
The election of 1800 known as the disputed election because the H.O.R voted 35 times before the choice of Jefferson was made and Hamilton told a congressmen to not vote for Burr- how the tie was broken.
Where did Jefferson live? When was he widowed and what does that mean, how many kids did they have?
Jefferson lived on a plantation in Monticello (outside Charlottesville Va.). He was widowed at 44 years old.- His wife, Martha died. With Martha, Jefferson had 4 kids.
How many people did Jefferson enslave?
Jefferson had over 600 slaves and that was not unusual as Jefferson was from the South.
Explain: Jefferson had a “relationship” and children with one of his slaves, Sally Hemings.
Jefferson having a “relationship”- (bottom line) wasn’t really a relationship because Sally had no choice because Jefferson owned her (for 32 years). Jefferson and Sally Hemings had 6 children together and even though they were Jefferson’s kids, Sally had given birth to them, so the children had her status of being a slave, so the kids were slaves.
Explain: The first time in US history that there was a peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another. Why is that the first time?
The first time there was no rebellion or war from one President from the political party of Federalist to a Republican. (Adams to Jefferson)- one leaves and the other is sworn in. (Due to Washington and Adams being the same party) - If you don’t like them reelect in 4 years or in 2 years Mid-Term electioms.
Jefferson was the first President to be _______ in Washington D.C? Who was the White House built by?
Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated (sworn in) in Washington, D.C. The White house was built by slaves or enslaved people.
What Amendment did Jefferson create, what is the Amendment, when, and why?
Jefferson created the 12th Amendment, to make sure there was no disputing who was running for president and vice-president the 12th Amendment was added in 1804. Jefferson added it because of his experience with Burr, H.O.R voting 35 times to break the tie and having to be vice or president when you are from different political parties.
Who was the Secretary of State and what was that job- explain?
James Madison was the Secretary of State (he was the next president) and he was an American diplomat that would meet with other countries, on behalf of the President, strict instructions from President- limited power.
Who was the Attorney General and what is that job?
The Attorney General was Levi Lincoln Senior and he investigates high crimes that effect the entire country and is elected by the President, but approved by the Senate.
Who was the Secretary of Treasury and what is that job?
The Secretary of Treasury was Albert Gallatin and he was in control of the $$.
What did Jefferson support?
Jefferson, a republican supported smaller government.
Why did Jefferson support farmers? Then vs now farmers!
Jefferson supported farmers because he was a Republican and was a farmer. (About 85% of the country were farmers- today it’s about 2%).
Who did Jefferson want to have more power, the Federal government or the states? What does that relate to that Jefferson did when he was Vice President?
Jefferson wanted the states to have more power and rights because he is a Democratic-Republican and that party wanted states to have rights, so the federal government would not become too powerful. He also thought that the states should make the important decisions and the Federal government should not. - Told Kentucky and Virginia to go against the Alien and Sedition Act.
Did Jefferson want more or less government and what is that known as?
Jefferson wanted less government (federal) intervention in the everyday life of citizens (laissez-faire)- hands off. - Wanted the government not involved.
Why did Jefferson decrease military spending?
Jefferson decreased military spending- he created West Point (graduate as an officer in the military and is SUPER prestigious, not average citizens, super bright people, top of their classes) to train men to lead small militias (small armies) so money was not spent on the military.
What else did Jefferson support decreasing?
Jefferson supported a decrease in the number of employees who worked for the Federal government- so less taxes have to be collected.
What did Jefferson made it easier to be? What is he still mad at?
Jefferson made it easier to become a citizen- wanted immigrants for population. This shows that Jefferson is still mad at Adams and is still angry at the Alien and Sedition Act.
What did Jefferson allow to end and how did he let it end?
Jefferson allowed the Alien and Sedition Act to end by letting it sunset- let it fade- go away- (no talk).
What tax did Jefferson end and why? What tax is the whiskey tax?
Jefferson ended the Whiskey tax→ Therefore, the government collected less in taxes, so he decreased the size of the Federal government, including the military. - The whiskey tax is an internal tax, (ended the whiskey internal tax, but not all internal taxes because we have them today.)
What did the Federal government do to Great Britain and France? Why?
The Federal government (finally- we waited) paid its debts to France (Napoleon) and Great Britain (King George III).- To repair our relationship, to continue to trade and to be respected ,
What did Jefferson disagree with that was Hamiltons? What was Hamilton’s plan and belief, and what was Jeffersons?
Jefferson disagreed with a piece of the economic plan that Hamilton had set up under Washington.
-Hamilton believed that the government should have some debt so that the people would work hard to get rid of it. (For the good of the whole- people working hard)
- Jefferson wanted as much of the debt to be paid as possible.- Jefferson thought no we have to pay our debt.
How did Jefferson react to the Midnight Judges (appointments by President Adams)?
Jefferson did not allow his Secretary of State, James Madison, to deliver their “contracts” for them to start.- 16 Contracts/ 16 Judges/ 16 States.
Who was one of the judges not permitted to start? What party and why?
One of the judges who was not permitted to start was William Marbury.- A federalist (John Adams appointed only Federalists)
What did Marbury want against James Madison? What would it force Madison to do?
Marbury requested a Writ of Mandamus against James Madison.- Wanted to sue Madison. This would force Madison to give Marbury his contract.
What was the Supreme Court Case known as? Who won? What is that an example of?
The Supreme Court Case is known as Marbury v. Madison. **
Madison won- this is an example of country before party- Federalists in the Supreme Court learned that they shouldn’t be biased.
What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 give to the Supreme Court? (Under who)
. The Judiciary Act of 1789 (President Washington) gave the Supreme Court the power to settle the case.
Who was the Chief Justice and what was his opinion on Marbury v. Madison?
Chief Justice John Marshall, a Federalist, and the other judges decided that the Midnight appointments were unconstitutional. - Country before party- even though a Federalist.
What were the two reasons that Justice Marshall voted against supporting the Midnight Judge appointments and Marbury’s case?
The two reasons Justice Marshall voted against supporting the Midnight Judge appointments and Marbury’s case were that Congress had no right to pass the Judiciary Act of 1789 in the first place and that the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land,” so when the Constitution and the law were in disagreement, the Supreme Court would cancel out the law.
What did Marbury v. Madison establish the job of the Supreme Court would be? The role is…
This case, Marbury vs. Madison, established the Supreme Court’s power of Judicial Review- this gives the Supreme Court the power to decide if an act or law is or is not constitutional. - we are not supposed to be biased. (The role of the Supreme Court is finally established-JUDICIAL REVIEW.)
What had worked in making the Supreme Court more powerful than the state courts?
The Judiciary Act worked! The Supreme Court (federal) was more powerful than the state courts!
