Theme: Jeffersons effective, pragmatic policies strengthened the principles of two-party republican government, even though the Jeffersonian revolution caused sharp partisan battles between Federalists and Republicans over particular issues.

Theme: Despite his intentions, Jefferson became deeply entangled in the foreign-policy conflicts of the Napoleonic era, leading to a highly unpopular and failed embargo that revived the moribund Federalist Party.

Theme: James Madison fell into an international trap, set by Napoleon, that Jefferson had avoided. Western War Hawks enthusiasm for a war with Britain was matched by New Englanders hostility.