Sunday, October 23, 2011

Chapter 7 and 8 Test: Jefferson Short Responses 10/24/11

1. What does Jefferson deem the essential principles of government?

Jefferson deems the essential principles of government to be "equal and exact justice to all men", regardless of their religious or political preferences. Jefferson also deems "peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations", with no committed relation with any nation to be an essential principle. Jefferson also believes that the "support of the State governments" is crucial, but there should also be a "preservation of (a) general government". Jefferson also deems punishment for those who revolt, agreement with the majority's decision, a "well-disciplined militia", a healthy economy, a timely and thorough payment of debts, and a good way to communicate information to the general public.

2. Jefferson refers to the Constitution several times in his address.

Jefferson refers to the Constitution many times in his address. In the first paragraph, Jefferson says he will always seek advice from the other "high authorities provided by our Constitution". Jefferson also states that everyone should abide by the Constitution in order to unite as a nation "for the common good". Jefferson also mentions the "freedom of religion... of justice", and trial by jury, all of which are part of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution

3. What does this suggest about the way he will interpret it when making decisions?

This suggests that Jefferson will be very strict in following the Constitution in regard to all matters. Ironically, one of the biggest successes in Jefferson's presidency came when he wasn't such a pedantic in following the Constitution; the Louisiana Purchase.

1. Describe Jefferson's administrative issues.

Jefferson had some administrative issues. First, he was quite contradictory in his policies. Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican but continued many policies that were installed by the previous Federalist administrations. Jefferson also supported limits to a decentralized government, yet he gave individual merchants favored legislation. Jefferson also had to deal with problems in the Mediterranean. After reducing the Navy and Army's size, Jefferson had to re-bolster the Navy so it could be prepared to fight a war in the Mediterranean.

2. In what ways did Jefferson implement the new Republican policies? In what ways did he continue Federalist policies?

Jefferson supported an implemented Republican policies by passing legislation helping merchants. This reinforced the Republican ideal of a strictly limited central government. Jefferson continued to support Federalist policies by continuing the national bank and the tariffs. He also sided with a Federalist ideal of going to war with the North African nations. Usually, democratic-republicans dislike war because it costs too much money and expands the powers of the government.

3.The significance of the Marbury v. Madison 1803 was that it led to the "principle of judicial review". Judicial review is crucial to legislation because not only does it balance out the power between the three branches, but it also let's the Supreme Court rule legislation as unconstitutional.

1. Describe the events surrounding the American purchase of Louisiana. How did Jefferson justify the purchase constitutionally?

France needed more money to fight their wars in Europe so they sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States.  Also at the time, Jefferson had been pondering how to catalyze American expansion into the West even though the French were blocking their way. Jefferson had also already been planning a exploration team of the west for some time. Therefore, the Louisiana Purchase seemed like the perfect deal to get all of Jefferson’s goals accomplished. Jefferson used the implied powers clause to justify the purchase.

2. In what ways did the young nation ascertain exactly what it had purchased?

Jefferson sent an expedition team led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Jefferson wanted Lewis and Clark to come back with exquisitely detailed information on the natural environment (geology, river routes to the Pacific),and on the possibility of trade with the Indians. Lewis and Clark did not disappoint, as their “volumes of notes and maps” helped settlers with their travels westward.

3. Describe the events surrounding the Lewis and Clark expedition.

One of the events surrounding the Lewis and Clark Expedition was the First Barbary War, in which Americans fought the Muslim nations of North Africa because of trading and bribery issues. Also, the Burr Conspiracy occurred around this time. Native American relations were also growing tense, as Shawnee leaders, Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa, instigated a cultural renewal of indian traditions and began attacking American settlements on the Western Frontier.

4. Who was Aaron burr and what was his conspiracy? What were the results of his actions?

Aaron Burr was a wealthy New York politician and the vice president of the Jefferson administration. Burr’s public career had been previously ruined by his duel with Alexander Hamilton. Burr voyaged westward where he hatched a plan for invading Florida or Mexico. As a result, upon rumors of this conspiracy, Jefferson ordered Burr to be arrested on the charge of treason. Yet due to the lack of witnesses and the fact that Jefferson refused to hand over “subpoenaed documents”, Burr was exonerated.

5. American expansion resulted in conflict between white American and Indians

The real issues at the heart of the conflict were the cultural value differences of the two entities. Americans saw that the implementation of their values into Indian culture would prove good for the Indians. However, most Indians had no desire to adopt white practices and were content with their own way of life. Some Indian tribes, like the Cherokee, did do some cultural mixing, solely in hope that Americans would favor them more than other Indian tribes.

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