etween 1800 and 1815, the Jeffersonian Republicans nearly
doubled the size of the country by purchasing Louisiana
Territory from France; defeated powerful Indian confederations
in the Northwest and South, opening the area north of
the Ohio River as well as southern and western Alabama
to white settlement; and -- to protect American shipping
and seamen, clear westerns lands of Indians, and preserve
national honor -- once again waged war with Britain, fighting
the world's strongest power to a stalemate. In addition,
the Supreme Court established the principle of judicial
review, which enables the courts to review the constitutionality
of federal laws and invalidate acts of Congress when they
conflict with the Constitution.
Background
The Jeffersonian era was rife with conflict, partisan
passion, and larger-than-life personalities. On the domestic
front, a new party, the Republicans, came to office for
the first time and a former vice president was charged
with treason. Pirates, operating from bases on the coast
of North Africa, harassed enslaved American sailors, and
Britain and France interfered with American shipping.
Finally, the United States fought a second war for independence
against Britain.
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