Dbq 3 Thomas Jefferson Analysis

Born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Virginia, Thomas Jefferson was a man of incredible talents who is remembered today as one of the most influential individuals in American History. Jefferson was elected in 1800 as the third president of the young United States, and throughout his historic presidency, allowed himself to be guided through his own distinct philosophy of government known as Jeffersonianism. A staunch supporter of state’s rights and a limited central government, Jefferson believed that the virtuous and educated farmer formed the backbone to democracy. Jefferson despised the moral depravity that he believed accompanied the big cities and luxurious jobs, and stated that when people “get piled up upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, they will become corrupt as in Europe” (Boyer et al. 225). In addition, Jefferson was a slave owner and believed that the white race should be held superior over the inferior black population.

Thomas Jefferson, one of the greatest revolutionary thinkers that ever existed, believed in the power of rebellion. He reasoned that conflict between government and the people occurred naturally. Jefferson “ hold[s] it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing” because he believes it to be “as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.” This deep quote relates to the theme of conflict since conflicts between governments and their people lead to rebellions. Furthermore, this quote indicates that conflict plays an important role in society even at the national level. While many people do not consider the positive side of conflict, a wise Jefferson realized its power to prevent oppressive rulers from rising.

The Federalist Party was one of the first political parties in the new nation, the other being the Democratic-Republican party (also known as the Anti-Federalists). Hamilton’s political party went on to split into the Democratic and Whig parties in the 1820s. The Whig party’s early leaders were believers in Jeffersonian democracy. The idea of factionalism within politics has stretched from the administration of George Washington to the present day (“Federalist Party” 1). The entire political system of the United States would not be the same without the existence of political parties and separate schools of

During the Jeffersonian Era, Thomas Jefferson declared that all Americans were Federalists, and Republicans which he claimed that Americans were diverse once he became president. John Marshall, who was Jefferson’s cousin strengthened the government. Through Marbury v. Madison in 1803 where he suggested that the Supreme Court should have judicial review which strengthened perspectives on whether a case was constitutional or not. For the McCulloch v. Maryland case, Marshall gave power of “loose construction” to interpret the constitution in court.

Thomas Jefferson was a vehement believer in strict construction of the Constitution prior to his election as president. However, the pressure and power of his new position swayed his views. During his two terms in office, he made decisions that conflicted with his old ideology. Once elected, Thomas Jefferson drastically distanced himself from his earlier philosophy, exercising the powers of the national government and loosely interpreting the Constitution.

Quote 1: “The public defender, trying to get him off, called him a dumb animal,” I told her. “He said it would be like tying a hog down in that chair and executing him-an animal that didn’t know what any of it was all about. The jury, twelve white men good and true still sentenced him to death.” (26)

Immediately following the Revolutionary War, the government was chaotic and in debt; the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton needed to make changes to help this new country heal from the repercussions of war. Though they were political rivals with vastly different views for a “perfect democracy,” which led to many disputes and competition, they both wanted what was best for their country. This resulted in the Compromise of 1790 between Madison, Jefferson, and Hamilton, which caused different events to shape them, which would lead to the party system that the U.S. works under in status quo.Around 1780, the United States was weak at the ending of the Revolutionary War. The United States did not have a central government

Political parties took hold rapidly within the United States. John Adams represented the Federalist Party while Jefferson was the leader of the Republican Party. During the campaign, his wife stayed by his side and helped him as his party, “was derided as pro-British monarchical.” It was after a close count of 71 to 68 that Adams was named President of the United States.

The clash of the two ideas of the Federalists views of the constitution were highly against the views that the Democratic-Republicans.Thomas Jefferson believed in a strict construction of the Constitution.He believed people should follow exactly what was stated and allowed in the document.On the other hand, Alexander Hamilton believed in a loose construction of the Constitution, and also the national bank.

In essences, Jefferson is saying that the Federalist, who are controlling the government, forgot about the need for liberty and justice. They are now looking more and more like the British ruling class. With many backers that hold British ideals. Now it’s only the Republicans who continue the fight. Jefferson is looking with disdain at the Federalist for trying to make the nation’s government more British, Additionally, it’s up to the people to realize the truth and fight for what is right. He ends the letter with the feeling of hope for the future of the nation, if people saw what was

As the country’s first president, George Washington supplied a national sense of unity for eight years. When Washington retired, the people split into two political parties, the Federalists and Republicans, and they started the first party system in our country’s history. The national government was strengthened because the Federalists were so involved in shaping the new U.S. Constitution. However, the Antifederalists disapproved the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Their victory was in forcing the first Congress under the new Constitution to establish a bill of rights (Berkin, Carol) (“Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists” video).

After the American Revolution, the formation of a new government was precedent. Federalists were afraid of disorder, anarchy, and chaos; the unchecked power of the masses, and sought for the constitution to create a government distant from popular passions. On the other hand, antifederalists were more concerned about the dangers of concentrated power. Equally, the antifederalists opposed the constitution because of the obstacles between the people and the exercised power, which is why federalists supported it. Hamilton was the Leader of the federalist party while Jefferson was the leader of the Republican party. Overtime Jefferson and Maddison created the Democratic-Republican party. Jefferson also created the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson wrote “determine never to be idle, it is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.” I agree with this statement as it basically says to always work and never take breaks. The reasons to always stay busy are that you can participate in more situations, you get more things finished faster, and you’ll learn more things faster.

Thomas Jefferson the author of The Declaration of Independence and of the letter about Shay’s Rebellion was all about the rights of the people. Even when he wrote The Declaration of Independence his purpose was to get the point across that people should have their own rights and not have a government dictate their future and their actions. Jefferson would most likely support modern day protests like gay rights because it sates on page 182 of the history textbook that “all men are created equal.” They gay community only wants be seen and treated equally as all the people in the world do and when Jefferson writes that he wants everyone to be equal it supports the being gay is okay protest. Another protest

Through my searching on the internet, I found that Thomas Jefferson Memorial was designed in a classical style.