Thomas Jefferson was a prominent American founding father who served as the third U.S. president from 1801 to 1809. He is best known as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and was a leading figure in the Democratic-Republican party. As president, Jefferson reduced the national debt, negotiated the Louisiana Purchase to significantly expand U.S. territory, and sent the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the new western lands. Jefferson believed strongly in individual rights and limiting the power of the federal government.

1. Essay on Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson He is best remembered as a great president and as the author of the Declaration
of Independence. He also won lasting fame as a diplomat, a political thinker, and a founder of the
Democratic Party. Jefferson's interests and talents covered an amazing range. He became one of the
leading American architects of his time and designed the Virginia Capitol, the University of Virginia,
and his own home, Monticello. He greatly appreciated art and music and tried to encourage their
advancement in the United States. He arranged for the famous French sculptor Jean Houdon to come
to America to make a statue of George Washington. Jefferson also posed for Houdon and for the
famous American portrait painter Gilbert Stuart....show more content...
(Thomas Jefferson, an intimate history [by] Fawn M. Brodie. Published: New York, Norton
[1974]) Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, at Shadwell, the family farm in Goochland
(now Albemarle) County, Virginia. (The date was April 2 by the calendar then in use.) He was
the third child in the family and grew up with six sisters and one brother. Two other brothers died
in infancy. His father, Peter Jefferson, had served as surveyor, sheriff, colonel of militia, and
member of the House of Burgesses. Thomas's mother, Jane Randolph Jefferson, came from one of
the oldest families in Virginia. Thomas developed the normal interests of a country
boy—hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and canoeing. He also learned to play the violin
and to love music. Jefferson was 14 years old when his father died. As the oldest son, he became
head of the family. He inherited more than 2,500 acres (1,010 hectares) of land and at least 20
slaves. His guardian, John Harvie, managed the estate until Jefferson was 21. Thomas began his
studies under a tutor. At age 9, he went to live with a Scottish clergyman, who taught him Latin,
Greek, and French. After his father died, Thomas entered the school of James Maury, an Anglican
clergyman, near Charlottesville. (Thomas Jefferson : a life / Willard Sterne Randall. Published: New
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2. Essay Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Albermarle County, Virginia. He was born in a
simple four–room house in Shadwell, Virginia, what is now Monticello. His father, Peter
Jefferson, was a planter who was a bright, brave, and strong man. His mother was a very gentle
lady. She was boring under one of the most distinguished families in the area. His family had
prospered since the first Jefferson arrived in America from Whales in 1612. Soon after Jefferson's
birth, the French and British began fighting their third war in a half of century over North America's
territory.
Jefferson went to an English school at the age of five where he remained for four years. He was
then transferred to a Latin school for...show more content...
Thomas Jefferson and one of his closest friends, James Madison, developed a strong political
partnership. They exchanged more than 1,200 letters.
After serving under the Virginia House of Delegates, Jefferson was elected Governor of Virginia for
a one–year term on July 1, 1779. He was later reelected. In September of 1782, Jefferson's wife
Martha died of an illness which saddened him for many months. A year later he was elected to the
Congress of Virginia. As you can tell, Jefferson has many duties for his country during the American
Revolution.
The Ordinance of 1784 marks the high point of Jefferson's opposition to slavery. Little was done
about this issue during Jefferson's time, but he helped lead up to the abolition of slavery. In
September of 1789, Jefferson became Secretary of State under the first president of the United
States, George Washington. He resigned in 1798 during the century's worst yellow fever epidemic.
Thomas Jefferson was not only known as a political figure. He was also involved in the field of
invention where he invented many things of technology and life. In order to get out of his person
debt. He began cultivating land and growing tobacco. This led to his invention of the plow. He also
made many renovations to Monticello. He added many technological advances to the house for this
time period. These include such items as a swivel chair, dumbwaiter,
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3. Thomas Jefferson Essay
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson's ideals and beliefs were derived from a deep regard for life, liberty, and
freedom. His concept of individual freedoms strongly disagreed with the notion of a "guided
republic" which he believed concentrated a great deal unchecked power among a few people. This
could have the potential of tyrannical government that might suppress personal freedoms of any
kind especially those of religion, which Jefferson feels very strongly felt should be protected. After
fighting hard to rid America of British domination, Jefferson was determined to create a government
that was responsible to, and derived its powers from, a free people. As the writer of the Declaration
of Independence and the Virginia Statute for...show more content...
Thomas Jefferson believed that all Americans should have the "freedom of language and
sentiment…as derived from the laws of nature" . In his most famous document, the
Declaration of Independence, he stated "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain [inherent and] inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness" . Jefferson was a strong advocate of a bill of rights within the
Constitution. In a letter to James Madison, he says that he "did not like…the omission of a
bill of rights providing…for freedom of religion [and for] freedom of the press" . Jefferson
was in favor of religious freedom because it did him "no injury for [his] neighbour to say there are
twenty gods, or no god" . Jefferson wrote the Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom which
essentially stated "that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions
in matters of religion" . He summarizes his feelings in letters to both Elbridge Gerry and Edward
Carrington, where he writes that he is "against all violations of the constitution" because "the basis
of our governments should be the opinion of the people, [and] the very first object should be to
keep that right" . Jefferson wanted a separation of powers within the government in order to prevent
one person or group having a tyrannical hold over the nation. He believed
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4. Thomas Jefferson was who authored extraordinary words and it was there words that changed a
nation. Jefferson's ability to write made him prominent author of write the Declaration of
Independence, (among other significant works). Jefferson's writings reflected on the rights of
mankind and what rights a government must offer its people. His use of words to fight for Human
rights makes him one of the greatest American Hero's. Thomas Jefferson's writings on basic human
rights caused a radical shift in American Colonist thoughts and these stunning ideas would influence
the Americans to break away from Great Britain.
"As a boy, Thomas Jefferson's was shy and often tongue–tied...Preferred the company of books to
that of most people." (Wilmore,...show more content...
A Summary was a relatively short piece, with its point to be speaking towards the American people
in general not just to an elitist group. It looked upon the struggle for justice within American
Colonist's lives (Bottorff, 33). However Jefferson's main idea within this book was that the British
government had too much authority over Colonial America (Peterson, 1). A Summary contained
grievances to the British government and toward the King himself. Jefferson even went through
out British history to prove his ideas of self government. The radical Whig Party in America also
upheld these ideas and through this book felt that Jefferson was on their side (Passos, 169). In A
Summary Jefferson also wrote that the colonist should ask for favors from the King instead of
rights however those favors were clear and they need to be able to self–govern their selves
(Donovan, 66). Jefferson's views on the rights of mankind can be express through a quote in his
work "Every Individual is equal to every individual."(Bottorff, 33) His message is clear it is that no
man should rule over another man nor should any man be treated with a different respect with then
others. This brings about the idea that mankind deserves natural right and that no one can take them
from mankind. In 1776 Jefferson's was appointed by the Continental Congress to write be on the
committee which
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5. Essay on Thomas Jefferson
Associate Level Material
Appendix D
Two–Party Politics
Part 1: Matrix
Complete the matrix by describing the beliefs and ideals of each of the parties.
Generate a list of at least 10 of President Jefferson's decisions and actions. Decide which party's
ideals are most aligned with the decision or action and provide an explanation of why the decision or
action aligns with that party.
Decisions and Actions
Democratic–Republican Party's Beliefs and Ideals
Federalist Party's Beliefs and Ideals
The Size of the government was reduced
The decision was supported by Democratic and Republican as they wanted a smaller government
Federalist didn't support his decision as they wanted a larger and more stronger government...show
more content...
Were in favor of taxation.
Land Policies
Made the Parcels smaller and more affordable, and allowed for payment over time, rather than a
large lump sum
Were not in favor of the payment plan
Expanding the Agrarian Republic
Western expansion was favored
Did no want to expand the land
Alliance with France
Was in favor of this Alliance with France
Wanted to work with the British
Repelled the judiciary Act of 1801
They were all for it
Jefferson had dismissed many federalist and judges so they were against it.
Part 2: Response
Write a 350–word response to the following question: How "Jeffersonian" was Thomas Jefferson as
president?

6. Jefferson doesn't fit neatly into the label "Jeffersonian". Jefferson's commitment to the separation of
church and state, his "Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom," adopted in 1786, barred
government from taxing to fund churches. As president, he wrote that he respected the First
Amendment's "wall of separation between church and state." Yet he allowed and attended religious
services in the U.S. Capitol and used federal funds to finance Christian missions to Native American
nations. Jefferson hoped that converting Indians would induce them to embrace private property and
live like their white neighbors.
Jefferson's embrace of strict construction, or limiting the federal government to powers explicitly
granted by the Constitution, also masks contradictions. When in 1803 Jefferson learned
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7. Thomas Jefferson Essay
The title of the book that I read is Thomas Jefferson by Norman K. Risjord. This book was
published in 1994.
The biography I read was Thomas Jefferson and it was very enlightening and informative. The story
began in Shadwell, Virginia where Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743 and raised until he was
approximately 18. Thomas Jefferson's parents were well off, but his father died when Thomas was
14. When Jefferson was 17 years old, he got permission to attend the College of William and Mary.
Thomas Jefferson did many things in his long life. Jefferson created the many different reforms.
Jefferson spent a lot of his time at his home in Monticello with his wife and kids. Jefferson had
books compiled on his notes of his home and its...show more content...
I think it expanded greatly on Thomas Jefferson's great qualities and only briefly stated any bad
qualities he may have possessed, such as, speaking in public, Sally Hemmings and his slave
ownership. Risjord willingly explains his wonderful writings like the Tea Act Reform (page 22) and
the Declaration of Independence. (page 28–32) Even though Norman Risjord may have been
somewhat sympathetic to Thomas Jefferson, I feel in no way was Norman Risjord apologetic
towards Jefferson. Norman Risjord did and excellent job of stating the true facts about Thomas
Jefferson without seeming apologetic or critical at any time. I feel that most of the time the book
was a very fair and balanced appraisal of Thomas Jefferson.
During this time period of this book, Jefferson and most all of the other main characters were faced
with several hardships. The characters were, in one way or another, an integral part of putting
America together. Jefferson was faced with several problems during that time. He and the other
characters were faced with uneasiness of no knowing what would have been best for America. They
were all experimenting with many new and different ideas of what might form the best America. The
Louisiana Purchase is a good example of one of the problems during their time. In the long run this
purchase turned out to be a good thing for our country, but at the time James Monroe had no idea
how much land he actually obtained for the large
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