Thomas Jefferson

The expedition opened up new territory for the fur and lumber trade and showed the best lands for settlement and farming.

This allowed the new country more resources and therefore more power.

With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States acquired a large area of land from the French.

It led to the Lewis and Clark Expedition which increased the power of the country greatly.

It was the single largest purchase of land ever by the United States and doubled the size of the country.

The Democratic-Republicans nominated Jefferson as president in 1800

The election of 1800 led to an amendment to the Constitution. Under Amendment 12, electors in the Electoral College

vote for one person as president and for another as vice president.

The first term of Jefferson's presidency was a time of growth and prosperity. The United States was at peace with the United Kingdom, France, and Spain,

as well as with American Indian groups. The United States increased greatly in size, and its economy expanded.

Ever since Jefferson had been minister to France, he had urged the United States to act against the corsairs that were linked to North Africa‘s Barbary States.

The four Barbary States had authorized corsairs to attack ships from other countries unless those countries gave an annual tribute to the states.

In 1801, Tripoli opened war on American shipping because it wanted a greater amount of tribute money. The United States Navy blockaded Tripoli's ports, bombarded fortresses, and eventually forced a resolution to the conflict.

Many people urged Jefferson to run for reelection again in 1808. Jefferson, however, chose to follow George Washington's example and retired at the conclusion of his second term.

The expedition opened up new territory for the fur and lumber trade and showed the best lands for settlement and farming.