Who was Thomas Jefferson? Casual man who greeted guests in his slippers The word “President” does not appear on his gravestone He died on the same day as John Adams, July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence Although he expressed his opposition to slavery, Jefferson owned 200 slaves throughout his lifetime and is reported to have fathered six children with his slave, Sally Hemmings. A 1998 DNA study concluded that there was a DNA link between some of Hemmings descendents and the Jefferson family. Jefferson founded, designed, and built the University of Virginia.

What do you think Jefferson’s intent was when he spoke these words What do you think Jefferson’s intent was when he spoke these words? (from his first inaugural address) …Think about the Election of 1800. Remember what happened? “Let us then, fellow citizen, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection with liberty and even life itself are dreary things…But every difference of opinion is not a difference of opinion. We have called different names brethren of the same principle. We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists.”

The Louisiana Purchase: The Facts President Jefferson wanted to make sure the U.S. could use the Mississippi River for commerce. He had American ambassador to France, Robert Livingston, and a special envoy, James Monroe, negotiate to buy the port of New Orleans which would allow the U.S. access between the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River. They were all surprised when the French offered to sell the entire Louisiana Territory. The purchase was completed on April 30, 1803. Jefferson had to overcome his strict constructionist views to buy the territory. Jefferson believed in interpreting the Constitution very carefully and narrowly.

The Louisiana Purchase: The Facts Size: 828,000 square miles Purchased for: $15 million Purchased from: France (Napoleon) The Louisiana Territory doubled the size of the U.S. and gave the U.S. control of the Mississippi River It opened up a water route for Ohio River Valley farmers and others to ship their products to market. Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the territory. They were instructed to keep journals and collect animal and plant samples.