Turn+of+the+Century,+America+expands

After the presidency of John Adams, the two party system has begun to cement itself into our countries politics. Thomas Jefferson, a republican wins the next election and takes office in 1801. There is continuing evolution within our government with both leadership and the inner workings. This period also marks the start of increased tensions with Great Britain which would eventually lead to the war of 1812. The country also expands in size and we take another step towards becoming a great nation.



Jefferson is viewed as the people's president and was not one for strong central government, but for more power to the states. He only partially succeeded in his agenda to take apart the armed forces, national bank, and federal tax system. When Jefferson was sworn in, there were really no pressing matters that he had to deal with besides keeping an eye on Europe. He first term was mostly domestic with the Louisiana purchase doubling the size of the nation in 1803. Jefferson was also very interested in exploring the west and he appointed Lewis and Clark to do just that. Jefferson also convinced congress in 1802 to fund and construct West Point military academy. However, his presidency is marred by indian removal and sentiments of wanting to assimilate the indians into modern culture. These ideas would come to life even more with the Indian Removal act during Adrew Jacksons presidency. It wasn't until the Embargo of 1807 that Jefferson did anything significant with foreign policy and it would end up being his demise. The embargo was set against England and France during the napoleonic Wars to keep America neutral. It instead crippled the American economy and humiliated Jefferson.
 * __Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) __**



Madison came into office and continued alot of Jeffersons programs, one in particular, the destruction of the First National Bank. It would only be after the War of 1812 that Madison understood why the bank was and is important. Most of Madison tenure as president was involved in the War of 1812 and pressure from the War-Hawk factions in Congress. The Federalists had all but disappeared and now the hawks were causing issues. The United States declared war on Great Britain in 1812 stemming from the blockades of trade ships and impressment of American citizens. Over the next four years, thanks to a large merchant fleet whihc was privatized, the United States captured over 1800 British ships and won many decisive battles. The last battle of the War was in New Orleans and Andrew Jackson soundly defeated the British invasion force there. The Treaty of Ghent did not offer any concessions to either side, but England began moving more troops out of or near American soil and it established the United States as a formidable power. Once peace had been achieved, we move into a time of american prosperity, the "Era of Good Feelings".
 * __James Madison (1809-1817) __**



Monroe comes into the presidency during the "Era of Good Feelings" and besides some minor bumps, it lasts thoughout his two terms. Domestic policy under Monroe was resigned to improving infrastructure and roads with the Cumberland Road Bill, again furthering the notion that indians must become more like the rest of the nation, and the Missouri compromise. Through the compromise Maine became a free state and Missouri a slave state. Monroe's foreign policy was highlighted by the aquisition of Spainish Florida in 1821 and the Monroe Doctrine. The doctrine kept America neutral and free of any future colonization on the part of Europe. It also established that the United States had control over the Pacific coast in response to Russian claims.
 * __James Monroe (1817-1825) __**



**__John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)__**  John Quincy Adam's was similar to James Monroe in that there were not a lot of pressing matters. He continued with internal improvements. Adams extended the Cumberland road into Ohio and he moved forward the proposals to creating a Chesapeake and Ohio canal as well as a Chesapeake and Delaware canal. Adams also furthered the connecting of the Great Lakes to the Ohio river system. All of these improvements were funded through tariffs, most of which were none too popular, especially with Jacksonians. Since Adams designed the Monroe Doctrine, his Foreign policy reflected that. Due to oppostition in Congress he got very little done in the way of Foreign policy, but he was able to sign treaties of reciprocity with many countries, included but not limited to, Prussia, Austria, Denmark, and Mexico. It should also be noted that because of his success as secretary of state in the past administration, most of the foreign problems were solved by the time he became president.