Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mr. Gillard
AP US History
21 October 2006
Essay #8
Some observers have regarded Jefferson's election in 1800 as revolutionary. Since
the change from Federalist leadership to Republican was entirely legal and bloodless but
the changes were profound.
Under the past Federalist presidents, Washington and Adams, a strong central gov
ernment had been established. They had followed policies that alienated large groups and
worked for the rich and those that owned land. Jefferson had steadily gathered behind him
a mass of small farmers, shopkeepers and other workers, who asserted themselves in the
election of 1800. Jefferson's mere presence in The White House encouraged democratic
behavior. White House guests were encouraged to shake hands with the president, rather
than bowing as had been the Federalist practice. He encouraged agriculture and westward
expansion and believed America to be a haven for the oppressed; he urged a liberal natur
alization law.
The introduction of economy in the public expenditures was also brought about by
Jefferson. H worked to establish a frugal system of government which "should not take
from the mouth of labor the bread it had earned." As a result, the army and navy were re
duced into republican peace establishments. Further than this, he could not go without the
concurrence of the legislature.Jefferson reduced the army to four regiments of infantry,
two regiments of artillerists and engineers, and two troops of light dragoons. The next
year, by the consent of the legislature, he reduced it to two regiments of infantry, one regi
ment of artillerists, and a corps of engineers or to about three thousand men.
Mainly because of Jefferson being an AntiFederalist, he received complaints
about his being president, but if he hadn’t have been president, things would not have
changed and the Federalists would have remained in control of the country.