The Jefferson Era Jefferson Takes Office The Louisiana Purchase and Exploration

Thomas Jefferson The smartest American ever? The smartest American ever? One evening …. JFK was giving a speech at a dinner to a group of very intelligent and talented people and told them….. One evening …. JFK was giving a speech at a dinner to a group of very intelligent and talented people and told them….. We have more intelligence in this room tonight than has ever been assembled for one dinner – in the entire history of our country………….. We have more intelligence in this room tonight than has ever been assembled for one dinner – in the entire history of our country………….. except when Thomas Jefferson dined alone. except when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.

Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson wanted the 13 colonies to become a nation. He was a good writer, so he wrote letters asking people to help the nation become free. He wrote letter after letter; 50,000 letters during his lifetime. He was such a good writer that he was one of five men chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. He wanted to be able to think, so he rented a house and stayed there by himself for 17 days. He searched in his mind for just the right words. When he had finished it, he gave it to the Continental Congress, and on July 4, 1776 it was adopted *. The war for freedom; the revolution * had started. Jefferson was born on the family farm in Virginia to a wealthy family. He had six sisters and three brothers; a large family indeed. When he was a boy he enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding horses and canoeing. He also loved music and learned to play the violin. His father was his teacher and his parents talked to him about the importance of serving others. His father died when Thomas was 14 years old. When he was 17 he entered college and studied law. He would make a schedule for himself and study 15 hours or more a day. Because of his hard work, he was at the head of his class. He soon passed the bar exam * and became a lawyer in Virginia. Thomas Jefferson wanted the 13 colonies to become a nation. He was a good writer, so he wrote letters asking people to help the nation become free. He wrote letter after letter; 50,000 letters during his lifetime. He was such a good writer that he was one of five men chosen to write the Declaration of Independence. He wanted to be able to think, so he rented a house and stayed there by himself for 17 days. He searched in his mind for just the right words. When he had finished it, he gave it to the Continental Congress, and on July 4, 1776 it was adopted *. The war for freedom; the revolution * had started. Jefferson was born on the family farm in Virginia to a wealthy family. He had six sisters and three brothers; a large family indeed. When he was a boy he enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding horses and canoeing. He also loved music and learned to play the violin. His father was his teacher and his parents talked to him about the importance of serving others. His father died when Thomas was 14 years old. When he was 17 he entered college and studied law. He would make a schedule for himself and study 15 hours or more a day. Because of his hard work, he was at the head of his class. He soon passed the bar exam * and became a lawyer in Virginia.

He married and built a home called Monticello. Later his wife, Martha, died. When George Washington was president, Jefferson was his secretary of state. Then he served as vice president under John Adams. Jefferson was elected the third president of the United States in His wife died 19 years before he became president, so there was no "First Lady" *. Sometimes his daughters served as hostesses *. Dolly Madison, the wife of his Secretary of State, was also a popular hostess in the White House. He knew the country had to grow, so he completed the Louisiana Purchase which doubled the size of the nation. After two terms as president he returned to Monticello and farming. He grew hundreds of different kinds of vegetables and fruit trees. He knew education was important, so he planned the University of Virginia. He designed the buildings and marked where they should be built. He also chose the library books, and even hired the teachers. The school opened in 1825 with 40 students. Thomas Jefferson died 50 years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

When Jefferson was running for president – there was a tie Jefferson and Aaron Burr each had 73 electoral votes. Jefferson and Aaron Burr each had 73 electoral votes. It took 36 votes in congress to decide a winner – Thomas Jefferson. It took 36 votes in congress to decide a winner – Thomas Jefferson. Burr thought Alexander Hamilton convinced several people in his own party to vote against him and he got REAL mad at Hamilton Burr thought Alexander Hamilton convinced several people in his own party to vote against him and he got REAL mad at Hamilton

So Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel Each man fired at the other. There are stories that Hamilton didn ’ t really aim at Burr (he couldn ’ t shoot an old man and he was religious) Each man fired at the other. There are stories that Hamilton didn ’ t really aim at Burr (he couldn ’ t shoot an old man and he was religious) Hamilton was killed. Hamilton was killed.

Jefferson’s goal as President was to try and unite all Americans He tried to promote a common way of life. He wanted the United States to remain a nation of small, independent farmers. He felt such a nation would uphold the strong morals and democratic values of country living. Since the nation had a lot of available land, people wouldn’t crowd together in cities (like Europe).

One of the biggest changes in America under Jefferson: The Louisiana Purchase The Louisiana Purchase France needed money France needed money The United States wanted New Orleans (a big shipping port) from the French and offered to buy it (from Napoleon) The United States wanted New Orleans (a big shipping port) from the French and offered to buy it (from Napoleon) France didn ’ t know we mostly wanted New Orleans and offered to sell the whole territory to us for what we wanted to pay for just New Orleans ($15 million) France didn ’ t know we mostly wanted New Orleans and offered to sell the whole territory to us for what we wanted to pay for just New Orleans ($15 million)

This doubled the size of the United States

Once we bought it, we needed to see what we had

Lewis and Clark led the first expedition Jefferson wanted to have a better idea of what he had bought. Jefferson wanted to have a better idea of what he had bought. Left in 1804 Left in 1804 In North Dakota territory they met Sacagawea In North Dakota territory they met Sacagawea Clark brought a slave (York). This was the first time any Native Americans saw anyone darker skinned than them. Clark brought a slave (York). This was the first time any Native Americans saw anyone darker skinned than them. Took notes and drew pictures of everything they saw Took notes and drew pictures of everything they saw Gone so long everyone assumed they died. Gone so long everyone assumed they died.

Later on… Meriwether Lewis Became governor of the Louisiana Territory. Became governor of the Louisiana Territory. Suffered from depression. Suffered from depression. One night – stopped at a tavern, people heard shots during the night. One night – stopped at a tavern, people heard shots during the night. In the morning when they woke up, Lewis was dead and someone had stolen his stuff. In the morning when they woke up, Lewis was dead and someone had stolen his stuff.

William Clark Became the first “ Superintendent of Indian Affairs. ” Became the first “ Superintendent of Indian Affairs. ” Later became governor of the Louisiana Territory. Later became governor of the Louisiana Territory. Settled down for the rest of his life. Settled down for the rest of his life.

Sacagawea (16 years old and had a 2 month old baby she took with her). (16 years old and had a 2 month old baby she took with her).

Another explorer that we don ’ t hear as much about was Zebulon Pike