Jefferson’s main ideas of agrarianism had a huge influence upon American society. Jefferson believed “agrarianism promoted individualism and self-interest”. Agrarians looked at America as a garden of God and the farmers were chosen by God. In Jefferson’s “Query XIX: Manufactures” from Notes on the State of Virginia, Jefferson specifically states, “Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people of God, if ever he had a chosen people.” Agrarianism gave economic independence and freedom to farmer and industrialism and urbanization would take that away. Jefferson believed that “America’s happiness and morality depends upon its recognition of agrarianism as the foundation of economic prosperity”. His ideas led to the Louisiana Purchase in
Jefferson’s election in 1800 marked the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in U.S. history. This showed that the country could transition power without getting into violence or conflict. Jefferson believed in limited government and states rights, which means that he thought the federal government should have less power and the states should have more. Jefferson's purchase of the Louisiana land in 1803 doubled the size of the United States and expanded executive power by allowing the President to make large land purchases without approval from Congress.
Our third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, had great intentions when he was elected into the presidency. The actions that took place during his eight years in office reflect the principles that Jefferson believed in, and that is what he wanted to achieve. One of Jefferson’s beliefs was having an agricultural-based economy and life, rather than commerce and federal power. “He believed a person who owned a farm and worked the land would be economically independent, and that independence would develop and preserve wisdom, self-control, courage, and fortitude.
In 1803, Thomas Jefferson made the most controversial purchase regrading to the constitution. The Louisiana Purchase went against everything Jefferson believed in. Jefferson faced heat from both parties whether it was to accept or that he will be a hypocrite for accepting it. With this purchase Jefferson made the best decision of his time because of all the benefits the land gave the country. Thomas Jefferson was the direct definition of an anti-federalist.
War was Jefferson's last resort as he hated conflict and moving eastward would almost guarantee bringing about it. Although Thomas Jefferson went into his presidency in 1800 with these strong ideas, he ended up pursuing many Federalist beliefs similar to those of Alexander Hamilton, his opponent of the opposing party during the election, due to certain circumstances that arose during his term. For example, he sent a naval fleet to Tripoli and also repealed the Embargo Act with France and Britain which were both against his ideals. He also kept many Federalist officials in office and even used a Federalist tax plan. On a much larger scale, Jefferson bought Louisiana and all the territory west of it from Napoleon.
I agree with the view that the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 contradicts Jefferson’s stance on not granting the federal government too much power because in fact, the purchase of this vast territory by the government did give federal authorities more power than was acceptable to the people. Additionally, purchasing new land was not stated in the Constitution; therefore, government did not have the right to take this course of action. As stated in “Jeffersonian Ideology” from Jefferson’s point of view: “Limiting the federal government flowed from his strict interpretation of the Constitution.” Jefferson had always been known to make strict interpretations of the federal government’s powers, but because of his desire to acquire new land in the
In my personal opinion, the moral dilemma that Jefferson faced resided in political reality. Jefferson had always advocated a very strict platform of Republican values up until this point. This position had been seen early on in his disagreements with Alexander Hamilton in President Washington's cabinet. In the election of 1800, Jefferson was able to articulate a new type of government that was filled with Republicanism.
Bayard says that he can question Mr. Jefferson’s genuine actions. He believes that if Jefferson were to be voted in that the sustainability of the country would come into question, “There would be really cause to fear that the government would not survive the course of moral and political experiments to which it would be subjected to in the hands of Mr. Jefferson.” (80) So he questions whether Jefferson would be harmful or helpful to society. He comes to the conclusion that this gives reason to favor Burr, however still believes that he could possibly prefer Jefferson.
Thomas was given hope in paintings which shown a perfect picture of what Jefferson had in mind when thinking of an Agrarian Society; it was the self-sufficient, independent farmers. When the Missouri Compromise in 1820 was produced and was sustained and maintained the balance between free and slave states; the division in which determined what state was a free state or a slave state was 36* 30’ north latitude. This meant that the Louisiana Purchase was be mostly considered slave states in which is another accomplishment of Jefferson in 1803. Thomas Jefferson feared that all these contributions would prevent him from achieving his goal of establishing America as an Agrarian Republic. Jefferson shown concern of this in his letter of response to John Holmes- a politician from Massachusetts who sent a letter to Jefferson, giving him his support through his alike opinion concerning the Missouri Compromise.
While the supporters of Thomas Jefferson believe that buying foreign land was necessary, those who are against him feel that what he did was unconstitutional. In the source, “Thomas Jefferson to John Breckinridge, 12 August 1803”, the text explains that what Jefferson did was allowed, as it had not mentioned that he couldn’t in the constitution. This controversy is huge, because some people believe that he did not have the right to do so. Jefferson made a point that it wasn’t mentioned in the constitution, so he decided to ratify it and pay for it. Some believe congress did not have the right to authorize this decision.
How he was wanting to go out west to make a better living and more room. And to also add on to America and to make it larger so that their could be more people move out west. And how they were also wanted to make a better income for America. Thomas Jefferson had bought land to go west they were building and making homes, stores,and train station. To have a way to make America great and also help people get around to places.
In America’s history there have been many events or times that have in a way changed and shaped how we live today. The Louisiana Purchase could be recognized as one of the best and most impressive real estate purchases of Thomas Jefferson’s past. Also, this purchase could be looked at as one of the most important events in America’s past. Many historians would agree on this, but many opinions would be different on the fact if this purchase was actually worth the buy or not. Even Jefferson himself would have some doubts about the purchase.
Thomas Jefferson’s legacy shaped the foundation of America today, his ideas on the limiting federal government, the separation of church and state, and the utmost importance of an individual 's personal rights. Limiting help to control potential abuses by the people in power over the citizens who elected them. His influence on limiting the federal government has prevented many crisis’ that have affected other democracies. Furthermore, his beliefs of separation of church and state helped to advance society by keeping the United States of America from becoming a theocracy. Arguably Thomas Jefferson’s biggest accomplishment comes from his incredibly strong and influential effort to further advance the personal rights of each and every citizen.
Thomas Jefferson during the 1790’s-1800’s while working with federalists Alexander Hamilton, his viewpoints were different. During the 1790’s Jefferson was known to be in the democratic-republican party where he progresses an ideal structure of equivalencies between money and weight standards with the American/Spanish currency. Jefferson took charge of the republicans after a conflict created two parties, republican-democratic and the federalist, who empathized with the revolutionary cause in France. While attacking the federalist policies, Jefferson opposed a strong centralized government and granted the rights of states. While Jefferson was in presidency, he cut down on the Army and Navy expenditures, cut the U.S. budget, eliminated the tax
Jefferson’s dilemma in the Louisiana Purchase In April of 1803 Thomas Jefferson was faced with many moral dilemmas in the process of buying the Louisiana territory. Though the price for the territory was beyond generous, Jefferson felt that by purchasing the territory he would be going against his beliefs that the constitution should be followed word for word. The constitution said nothing of the president having the power to purchase land from another government, or to use money of the states for the same purpose (“the moral dilemma”). Another problem was once the land was purchased, there was a fear that it could have been a waste since they had no way to know the layout of the land, and what it would be useful for.
Jefferson believed that this deal was way too good to pass up. This was declined by the rest of the constitution. To make sure that he got his way Jefferson made this a trade deal and sent it to the senate to get ⅔ approval. This trade deal was approved and they bought all land west of the Mississippi. This was a good way to use the constitution because the U.S. now had much more land to expand their country now.