Voices from America's Past

The Jeffersonians, 1801-1829

The early part of the last century was an exciting time to live in America. The signers of the Declaration of Independence and the framers of the Constitution, mostly old men by now, saw that their experiment in republican government had turned out to be a success. The nation was flourishing in these years like a healthy adolescent. There were growing pains, to be sure, but no one doubted now that the youngster would reach manhood. The question was: What is he going to be like? The party battles of John Adams administration left the Federalist Party in ruins, and Thomas Jefferson succeeded to the presidency with an overwhelming popular mandate. During his first term, Jefferson increased his popularity through buying from France the enormous Louisiana Territory which doubled the size of the United States. By the time the Lewis and Clark Expedition returned from exploring the new land, people began to realize the immense possibilities that the Louisiana Purchase held for the future of the United States. Jeffersons second term was beset by foreign problems that culminated eventually in the War of 1812, during James Madisons administration. Despite George Washingtons advice in his Farewell Address to stay out of entangling foreign alliances, America could not avoid being affected by events abroad. She was caught between the hammer and the anvil during Napoleons wars with the rest of Europe. The War of 1812 settled no issues but, soon afterward, the main Anglo-American problems left over from the Revolution were adjusted. Napoleons downfall at Waterloo removed France as an obstacle to American development. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 60854
Author: Morris, Richard B. (Richard Brandon)
Release Date: Dec 6, 2019
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Morris, Richard B. (Richard Brandon), 1904-1989 , Woodress, James Leslie, 1916-2011