Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1993. [Vol. 1.] Eger Journal of American Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 21)

STUDIES - András Tarnóc: "Jefferson Still Survives".

resulted from a compact between the states and the federal government, giving states a right to nullify laws deemed hostile to their interests. In 1800 Thomas Jefferson rode the crest of a society wide dissatisfaction with the Federalist Adams administration to the White House. In his inauguration speech he counseled unity and forgiveness as he declared: "We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists. If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union or to change its Republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it". 3 Jefferson was the first President to be inaugurated in Federal City, the future seat of U.S. government. In contrast to the lavish life-style of the previous administration Jefferson embraced simplicity and prudence. He intended to run the nation as a prudent farmer forcing government to live within its means. He cut down the size of the military and began to sell lands between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to finance government activities. His greatest presidential achievement was the acquisition of the Mississippi Valley. The contract executed between Jefferson and Napoleon went into history as the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and for a mere 15 million dollars doubled the size of the United States. In light of the Louisiana Purchase Jefferson's reelection in 1804 was hardly a surprise. Whereas the Jefferson administration achieved its greatest triumph in the foreign policy arena, the President's mishandling of international relations proved to be his downfall as well. In 1803 Europe was set ablaze by the Napoleonic Wars and Jefferson wanted to keep the United States out of overseas hostilities. America as a trading partner to the main belligerents: France and Britain, was in a precarious situation. In 1805 Napoleon following up on his historic victory at Austerlitz assumed control of most of continental Europe and in 1806 Admiral Nelson's triumph at Trafalgar resulted in a British naval blockade around Europe. American merchant ships were caught in the middle where 2

9 Ibid., p. 282. 118