The Triumphs and Trevails of the Jeffersonian Republic

American Pageant Chapter 11

1. How did Jefferson end

up modifying some of

his Republican beliefs in

strict constructionism,

limited federal

government, and

militarism in the face of

events during his

presidency?

2. What were the political

and economic

consequences of the

Louisiana Purchase?

Why is the purchase

considered “Jefferson’s

most glorious

achievement as

president?

3. Why did Jefferson

impose the embargo,

and why did it fail?

4. What were the real

causes of the war of

1812? Was the

declaration of war a

“mistake,” or the result

of deliberate policies by

new American political

forces?

5. What was the

significance of the

Jeffersonian

“Revolution of 1800” in

relation to the new

republican experiment

and the fierce political

battles of the 17

(See Chapter 10)?

1. When it came to certain events during his presidency, he took on a looser constructionism of the Constitution. The Louisiana Purchase was questionable constitutionally, but Jefferson did it anyways because of the huge amount of popular support behind it. He also enforced the power of federal government over states, something that he was originally against, with things such as the Embargo Act. Finally, Jefferson made the land army much smaller and reduced the navy, which proved to be a poor decision during the War of 1812.

2. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States without war, which set a precedent for purchasing land. It also led to new opportunities for the nation, including the opportunity to eventually expand to the Pacific, which would lead to the increase of power in America.

3. The Embargo Act made it so that the states could not export goods to foreign places, which significantly hurt the incomes of U.S. merchants. This was put in place to protest the British impressment of American sea men. The British were already making foreign trade difficult for the U.S., so Jefferson decided to stop altogether....