The central principles animating the government in America from 1800-1812 centered on the idea of establishing itself as a nation of the world, rather than being a small rebellious group of unstructured people. Focusing on the expansion of the country as well as concerning itself with protecting its new and old interests, America was undergoing the adolescent phase of becoming a nation. Growing up during this time period culminated in the War of 1812 was the war which established the nation by fulfilling the principles set forth in the Jeffersonian Revolution of 1800. One of the central doctrines of the initial time period at the turn of the century was the advancements made after the Revolution of 1800. The Judiciary Act of 1801, which created “midnight judges” for the fading Federalist party were ousted the next year. A peaceful transformation and the final call of the dying party was now completely gone, and the nation was prepared to move on into an era where the people were in control of their country.

            Two of the main issues brought forth were expansion and the protection of the country and its assets. Both of these issues were drawn on concurrently, making each task that much more difficult in successfully dealing with it. Beginning in 1801, the war with Tripoli was the result of not paying for protection. The tiny American flotilla matched against the pirates of Tripoli would eventually result in a victory, but they would prove worthless in the upcoming conflict with the British as they were no match for the heavier and sturdier iron battleships. The unsuspecting moderation Jefferson had with his new structuring of the national government along the lines of the Democratic-Republican template was revealed with the purchase of the Louisiana Purchase and the subsequent Lewis and Clark expedition. His ingenuity in circumventing conflict with France and doubling the size of the nation overnight showed great diplomacy and became a telling sign for what was to come in the future. However, the Indians in the West were posing serious threats to the nation. Battles ensued and the eventual pushing back of the Indians proved a valid test for the army. Nevertheless, the new ideas of the Jefferson era combined with the need to expand and protect set the stage for the ultimate test.

            America’s revolution in the 18^th century separated them from Britain, but that didn’t equate to being recognized as a national entity in the world arena. The end of the Federalists signaled the beginning of the thought of being led by the people, not the chosen few. However, the ensuing conflict with the British was not going to be as easily settled diplomatically as the French situation. Knowing this, those in Congress, aptly named the War Hawks, championed the idea of going to war. Madison had already made the mistake of commercially aligning the nation against England, leaving no place to go. Looking at the upcoming war from a political perspective, it was easy to see the traces of the Democratic-Republicanism in the decision to war with Britain and not France. Already hating the British more than the French, the decision to go to war with British involved the invasion of Canada and other factors, but the true significance was this: validating the country would only occur against their age old foes, the British.

 The election of Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase both helped stimulate the American Government.  Thomas Jefferson’s election was considered to be a revolution; it is sometimes known as the “Revolution of 1800.”  It brought forth the ideal that problems in the government can be fixed in a peaceful manner, rather than with war.  This belief, however, did not last in the government for a very long time.  The War of 1812 began because of people who wanted to solve their troubles with war.   

            Thomas Jefferson was elected president in 1800.  He considered this election to be a revolution similar to the American Revolution in 1776.  However, this revolution was not a rebellion.  It was a revolution because of the peaceful manner that the parties resolved this problem.  This type of resolution would be considered an accomplishment for such a young country and a triumph for the experiment in Democracy.  Democratic ideals and liberal principles of Thomas Jefferson are seen still in the government of the United States of America today.   

            Another major event in the history of the American government was the Louisiana Purchase.  This was another example of how a problem can be solved in a very peaceful manner.  The New Orleans area, originally owned by Spain, was given to France.  France would no longer allow America to have warehouses privileges, which were very important to farmers who floated their products down the Mississippi river.  Jefferson then sent James Monroe to Paris in 1803 to buy New Orleans and as much land to the East for $10 million dollars.  Napoleon decided to sell all of Louisiana instead in order to help strengthen the Americans; France hoped that the United States would one day be able to ruin England’s plans of colonizing in America.  The Louisiana Purchase helped the American Government become stronger, and for the United States of America to grow. 

            The main characteristic of the “Revolution of 1800” was the ability for the government to peacefully solve their problem.  The War of 1812 was the opposite of this idea.  Young newcomers to the Congress in 1811 wanted to begin a war with their old enemy, England.  These war hawks were angry with the British Orders of Council.  They were also worried about the growing strength of the Indians.  Instead of peacefully solving this fear and apprehension, they called for war.  The War Hawks created a declaration of war in June of 1812.  The votes from the House of Representatives and from the Senate were very close, meaning that the American people disagreed on how to solve this problem.  In the end, the war hawks obtained their desire, and the War of 1812 began. 

             Between the years 1800-1812 there were a few central principles that stimulated American government.  These included the election of Thomas Jefferson, which was known as the “Revolution of 1800,” and the Louisiana Purchase.  Both of these events contributed to the animation of the American government.  The War of 1812 was also one of these events.  This war however went directly against the “Revolution of 1800.”  

From the years 1800 to 1812, the central principles animating American government were moderation, order and neutrality. Thomas Jefferson’s election was called the “Revolution of 1800,” but it was really a revolution because there was a “peaceful and orderly transfer of power on the basis of an election whose results all parties accepted.” (212) Riots didn’t break out in the infant country because of the results, although mudslinging had been bitter. Thomas Jefferson proved more moderate than his extreme philosophies and he managed to maintain neutrality during the War of 1812. The War of 1812 was a violation of the principles of the “Revolution of 1800” because the European parties resorted to violence after they didn’t get what they wanted. This was completely opposite of the “peaceful transfer of power” (212) that occurred between the Federalists and Republicans after the presidential election of 1800.

The Revolution of 1800

The American government during the years 1800 to 1812 was quite a disarray.  It was an era of copious monikers, bad dealings, and war.  The Federalist candidate for President, Aaron Burr, was running against the author of the Constitution, himself; Thomas Jefferson.  Events following the initial election were very chaotic, and caused peculiar circumstances.  The government, however, during this time was dubbed the “Jeffersonian Democracy.”  It was, essentially, ruled and governed by Jefferson and his cabinet members, and his policies were evoked throughout his term as President.  The War of 1812 was also a product of this time period, and strongly

Aaron Burr, a former Presidential candidate ran against Thomas Jefferson in the 1800 “Revolutionary” election.  Aaron Burr was running on the Federalist ticket, while Jefferson ran on the Republican side.  Burr, however, lost the Presidential election because of some odd dealings.  Ironically, the men tied in the election; however, Jefferson won with the electoral vote count.  Because of a technicality, though, the men ended up having the same amount of votes in the Electoral College.  With further discrepancies along the way, Jefferson was finally elected by the House of Representatives. 

Jefferson was a President who conveyed Democratic ideals and principals in many of his speeches and political endeavors.  Jefferson was, however, somewhat of a paradox, himself; he was very inconsistent in his decisions, in that he whimsically altered his conservative political viewpoints, which he had so nobly fought for previously.  He was, however, rather pleased when the Federalist Party was ejected, and no longer practiced, because of bad dealings.  Jefferson declared that the 1800 election was a “revolution.”  He felt that it was as necessary for him to win as it was for the United States to break off from British control. 

The War of 1812, also called, “Mr. Madison’s war,” was a distinct sign of the times.  It was aroused because the United States wanted to make certain that the British would not seize American ships or take sailors.  This, apparently, was a threat during the early 1800’s.  President Madison also wanted the British to stay away from the Native Americans, so that they would become allied with them.  Thus, the American President, (James Madison,) and his cabinet were ultimately attempting to protect their ideals of moving westward.  This war ended up being somewhat of a stalemate.  This war, essentially defied the Revolution of 1800.  Although Jefferson’s term was not the most perfect, he did not call for a war to occur through his Revolutionary tactics.

Eighteen-hundred to eighteen-twelve was another chapter in the United States of America’s diary.  It was filled with trial and tribulation, as well as disagreement, and war.  Thomas Jefferson’s Revolution of 1800 is an essential part of history, as is the War of 1812.