Undoing Federalist Programs
President Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson believed that the Federal government should have less power than it did under the Federalists. As a result, he sought to end many Federalists programs.
With Congress now dominated by the Democratic-Republicans, the Alien and Sedition Acts came to an end, and prisoners convicted under this act were set free. Also, the very unpopular whiskey tax was repleaed. Due to the loss of revenue, Jefferson reduced the number of federal employees and reduced the size of the military.
He next targeted the Federaists' financial programs. Alexander Hamilton created a system based on a certain amount of public debt. He felt that if prople were owed money by the government that they would make certain the government was run properly. Jefferson, however, opposed the idea of public debt. He would use revenue from tariffs and the sale of western lands to reduce the amount of money owed by the government.
With Congress now dominated by the Democratic-Republicans, the Alien and Sedition Acts came to an end, and prisoners convicted under this act were set free. Also, the very unpopular whiskey tax was repleaed. Due to the loss of revenue, Jefferson reduced the number of federal employees and reduced the size of the military.
He next targeted the Federaists' financial programs. Alexander Hamilton created a system based on a certain amount of public debt. He felt that if prople were owed money by the government that they would make certain the government was run properly. Jefferson, however, opposed the idea of public debt. He would use revenue from tariffs and the sale of western lands to reduce the amount of money owed by the government.
John Marshall and the Judicial Branch
Chief Justice John Marshall
Although Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans controlled the presidency and the legislature, they were nearly pwerless over the judiciary branch. John Adams had seen to this with the passage of the Judiciary Act of 1801. With this act, Adams appointed as many Federalist judges that he could between the election of 1800 and the inauguration of Jefferson the following year. This meant that the Democratic-Republis would always have to contend with a Federalist judiciary.
Jefferson often felt frustrated by the Federalist control of the courts. But, since judges are appointed for life, there was very little he could do about this situation.
Prior to leaving office in 1801, Adams appointed John Marshall as the new Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. At age 45, Adams felt Marshall could serve in this position for a very long time and keep the Democratic-Republicans in check. Under the leadership of John Marshall the Supreme Court upheld federal authority and strengthened federal courts. The most important decision made by the Marshall Court, however, was in the case of Marbury v. Madison.
Jefferson often felt frustrated by the Federalist control of the courts. But, since judges are appointed for life, there was very little he could do about this situation.
Prior to leaving office in 1801, Adams appointed John Marshall as the new Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. At age 45, Adams felt Marshall could serve in this position for a very long time and keep the Democratic-Republicans in check. Under the leadership of John Marshall the Supreme Court upheld federal authority and strengthened federal courts. The most important decision made by the Marshall Court, however, was in the case of Marbury v. Madison.
Marbury v. Madison (1801)
One of the last-munite appontments made by John Adams was William Marbury. He was appointed as justice of the peace for the District of Columbia.
Marbury was supposed to installed in this position by Secretary of State James Madison. When Madison refused to give him the job, Marbury sued. The case eventually reached the Supreme Court, which ruled that the law under which Marbury sued was unconstitutional (anything that contradicts or goes against the law of the constitution).
Although the Court denied Marbury's claim, it did establish the principle of judicial review (the Supreme Court has the final say in interpreting the Constitution). "It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is." declared Marshall. If the Supreme Court decides that any law violates the Constitutiion, it cannot be put into effect.
Jefferson and Madison were furious when the Supreme Court seized this new power, but they could do nothing to fight this decision. After all, the case was decided in their favor.
By established judicial review, Marshall helped to create a lasting balance among the three branches of government. The strenght of this balance would often be tested as the nation grew. We will learn about the growth and growing pains of the nation in the next section of this unit.
Marbury was supposed to installed in this position by Secretary of State James Madison. When Madison refused to give him the job, Marbury sued. The case eventually reached the Supreme Court, which ruled that the law under which Marbury sued was unconstitutional (anything that contradicts or goes against the law of the constitution).
Although the Court denied Marbury's claim, it did establish the principle of judicial review (the Supreme Court has the final say in interpreting the Constitution). "It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is." declared Marshall. If the Supreme Court decides that any law violates the Constitutiion, it cannot be put into effect.
Jefferson and Madison were furious when the Supreme Court seized this new power, but they could do nothing to fight this decision. After all, the case was decided in their favor.
By established judicial review, Marshall helped to create a lasting balance among the three branches of government. The strenght of this balance would often be tested as the nation grew. We will learn about the growth and growing pains of the nation in the next section of this unit.