Chapter 9 Summary and Analysis

"Conspiracy" shows how Jackson's dealings with Aaron Burr nearly derail his political career before it starts. Like others in the South and West, Jackson is upset by the undeclared naval war with France and with the Alien and Sedition Acts. Jefferson bests Adams in the bitter 1800 elections and his administration, while more sympathetic to the masses, hardly ushers in popular rule. The census shows a "healthy rate of growth," which will lead to a shortage of land for the 95% of the population that are farmers and lead to the same social problems as in overcrowded Europe. Thus, when Napoleon offers to sell the strategic port of New Orleans and the Louisiana hinterlands - the whole western half of the Mississippi Valley - Jefferson cannot resist. The Constitution says noting about acquiring territories and there is no time to pass an amendment...