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Chapter 10 Summary

The presidential election of 1800 was a tie. The House of Representatives had to decide the election. Republican Thomas Jefferson became president, and Federalist Aaron Burr became vice president.

• Jefferson believed in limiting the size and power of the federal government. He stopped most federal taxes and only taxed imports. 

• The Judiciary Act of 1801 set up courts for the United States. Outgoing president Adams appointed most of the judges. 

• The case of Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review. It also established two other principles: The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States and the Constitution must be followed when there is a conflict with any other law. 

• In major cases, the court broadened federal power and lessened state power. 

• In the 1800s, American pioneers moved westward into the Louisiana Territory. They wanted land and adventure. It was a difficult journey. 

• Settlers shipped goods by river to New Orleans. In 1802, Spain stopped allowing American goods to move through New Orleans. Spain had secretly agreed to give the Louisiana Territory to France.

• Napoleon of France wanted to control an American empire. He needed the port of Santo Domingo as a naval base. A revolt in Santo Domingo ended Napoleon’s dream.

• Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States. This doubled the size of the United States.

• Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an expedition to learn more about the new territory and find a Northwest Passage. Their group included Sacagawea, a Shoshone interpreter and guide. Zebulon Pike explored a more southern part of the new land.

Federalists in the Northeast worried about the westward expansion. They were afraid they would lose power if new states were Republican. 

• American trade grew, and more American ships were on the seas. North African pirates demanded tribute and seized American ships. America went to war with Tripoli.

• Great Britain and France were at war. The United States stayed neutral, but France and Britain seized and searched American ships. 

• In response, Jefferson banned trade with all foreign countries. The Embargo Act hurt the American economy and did not stop the British. 

• James Madison became president during a difficult time. Tensions grew inside and outside of the country.

• Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, built a confederacy of Native American nations. William Henry Harrison successfully attacked Prophetstown in the battle of Tippecanoe. Tecumseh joined forces with the British. 

• Young Republicans, called War Hawks, pushed for war with Britain. In June 1812, Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war. He did not know Britain had decided to end search and seizure until it was too late. 

• America was not prepared for war. It misjudged the strength of its enemies. General Hull and William Henry Harrison were unsuccessful in their attempts to invade Canada. 

• The U.S. Navy defeated the British on Lake Erie, which helped American morale. Andrew Jackson was successful against the Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. 

• The British took and burned much of Washington, D.C. Then they moved on to Baltimore. Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that became known as “The Star-Spangled Banner” while watching the battle there at Fort McHenry. 

• The U.S. Navy defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Champlain. After this battle, Britain decided the war was not worth the cost or the effort. The War of 1812 ended in December 1814 with the Treaty of Ghent.

• The Battle of New Orleans was bloody and short. Andrew Jackson became a hero in this victory for the United States.  

• After the war, the Federalists lost power. American nationalism and patriotism rose. The United States gained a stronger reputation in the world.