By: JP
The 3 rd President of the United States of America, served from Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson lived at Albemarle County, Virginia, where he inherited 5,000 acres of land for farming. Jefferson was a farmer and also a tinker, meaning he liked to craft and build things.
During his time in the Virginia House of Burgesses, Jefferson composed probably the most significant document in the history of America.. The Declaration of Independence, which declared freedom from the English.
In 1785, Jefferson succeeded Benjamin Franklin as Minister of France. Jefferson also wrote a bill in 1786 establishing religious freedom, The Virginia Act. He supported the concept of separation of church and state.
Political conflict developed between the two separate parties of that time, the Federalist and Democratic- Republican Party. Jefferson attacking the Federalist policies, opposing a strong centralized government and the rights of states.
Also his sympathy for the French Revolution led to conflict between Alexander Hamilton, while Jefferson was Secretary of State for President Washington’s Cabinet.
As a faithful candidate for the 1796 election, Jefferson only lost by 3 electoral votes to his opponent John Adams. Jefferson become Vice President.
When Jefferson become President in 1801, he did many things.. Slashed Army and Navy Expenditures. Cut the budget Eliminated tax on whisky Reduced national debt by a 3 rd. Send a Naval Squadron to fight the Barbary Pirates, who harassed Commerce in Mediterranean. Acquired Louisiana territory from France in Expanding the United States.
Jefferson was preoccupied during his whole 2 nd term with keeping the Nation from involving with the Napoleonic wars, even though England and France interfered with the rights of American ships. Jefferson tried to put an embargo on American shipping but it failed and made him very unpopular.
Political Cartoon attacking Jefferson. Result from Hamilton and Jefferson’s arguments getting more severe as Washington’s term continued.
"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.“ -Thomas Jefferson, 1800.
1 st Jefferson Stamp, 1856 Memorial plaque in France to honor Jefferson as Prime Minister. Picture of Jefferson, 1805.
Trumbull, John. Declaration of Independence, July 4, The Declaration of Independence by Trumbull. Web. 17 Mar "Thomas Jefferson." The White House. White House, n.d. Web. 19 Mar Thomas Jefferson. February 20, Roaring Republican. Roaring Republican. Web. 17 Mar 1796 Election. N.d. National Atlas of the United States. United States Presidential Elections. Web. 19 Mar Peale, Rembrandt. Thomas Jefferson. N.d. New York Historical Society, New York. Wikipedia. Web. 19 Mar