Pick TWO of the following issues of Thomas Jefferson's presidency and explain their impact on the early United States. Use as many specific details as possible to support your answer.
The Election of 1800
Louisiana Purchase of 1803
Marbury v. Madison
The Embargo Act of 1807
Louisiana Purchase of 1803:
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 was one of the most significant events that occurred during Thomas Jefferson's presidency. The purchase involved buying land from France, which doubled the size of the United States. Not only did the acquisition of this land give the US more territory to expand into, but it also ensured that France would not establish a strong presence in North America, which would have threatened US interests.
One of the immediate impacts of the Louisiana Purchase is that it allowed the US to control the Mississippi River, which was a crucial trade artery in the early 19th century. The purchase also opened up new lands for farming, which led to an increase in agricultural production and the growth of cities in the new territories.
Furthermore, the acquisition of Louisiana was controversial at the time because the Constitution did not specifically grant the federal government the power to acquire new territory. However, Jefferson justified the action as necessary for the security and prosperity of the nation.
Marbury v. Madison:
Marbury v. Madison was a landmark Supreme Court case that had a significant impact on the early US government. William Marbury was one of several appointees by President John Adams in the weeks before Jefferson was inaugurated. Jefferson, however, refused to recognize the appointments, and Marbury sued Secretary of State James Madison to compel him to officially appoint the judges.
The Supreme Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review, which meant that the Court had the power to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. This ruling solidified the independence of the judiciary and provided a critical check on excessive exercise of power by the other branches of government.
Furthermore, the decision defused a potential crisis between the executive and judicial branches of government. While Jefferson was unhappy with the Court's decision, he ultimately accepted it, and the case marked a turning point in the development of the US government as a functioning constitutional democracy.