Thomas Jefferson DBQ Essay

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 was a person who shared many interests and had a huge knowledge in many spheres of life. He was a writer, a musician, a lover, a pathfinder in archeology, a reluctant politician, an architect who designed his own house, and many more. No wonder that he was widely admired in the past and still is now, in the present times. He is the one who could find appropriate words and write America’s most important and known document “The Declaration of Independence”. And what is more, he made a great step for humanity as he clearly wanted to separate the state and the church and sought for religious freedom. But as I was watching the PBS Documentary about this famous figure, it was not cold facts that attracted my interest the most. I was rather thinking how diversified Thomas Jefferson was and how many contradictions we are able to enumerate about his personality.

Thomas Jefferson was a devout Republican and viewed the Constitution as it should be followed strictly by text and empowered congress to enact laws that were mandatory and respectable. He was also a strong supporter of states’ rights and decisions should be left to them to vote on. Here is an example where his stance stood when president Washington ask for advice from his cabinet, while as Secretary of Sate if the United Sates should charter a national bank, “The Bank of the United States”. Jefferson took advantage at every opportunity to express his own views on how to interpret the Constitution and he viewed this as this was not a Congress’s obligation to raise money and was against it. Jefferson sought to limit the powers of the federal government and

To Jefferson this was his most meaningful contribution to his nation. In 1776 Jefferson was tasked to write the rough draft so that the congress can debate on it. While writing the Declaration of Independence he came up with, “All men are created equal and have the inalienable right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.” His words inspired many other people who help create the declaration of Independence and stand up for what they believe. Everyone was excited to read what he has written and often always agreed with him. Jefferson obviously had a way with words and when to use them. He was proud of himself and what he did for his nation. Jefferson wrote in his biography that this was his most meaningful impact on his society.

Thomas Jefferson’s works and ideas laid the foundation for several key aspects on the limits of the United States government, the idea of separation of church and state, and the importance of personal rights. Jefferson wrote many influential pieces of literature which pushed the concept of having limited government power. Jefferson wanted America not to be like the European monarchies that fell due to religious strife, so he emphasized a secular government. Jefferson, following closely with the ideas of John Locke, stressed the importance of the protection of individual rights against the government.

Thomas Jefferson was first term as president was full of successes and failures. Thomas always promised the country a wise and frugal government. Thomas said that he was against “entangling alliances”. Thomas did not try to tear down was Alexander Hamilton had erected. Thomas had no interest in surrounding himself with pomp. While staying in the White House, Thomas did not dress fancy; he often wore a frayed coat and carpet slippers. Thomas Jefferson had to deal with the judiciary being attacked, savvy politicians, and buying Louisiana from France.

Hypocrisy is one of the worst moral crimes someone can commit. Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson explains that he has committed this crime. He has gone back on his morale of everyone having unalienable rights by letting slavery continue to happen, and Banneker believes he is the prime contender in allowing this crime to happen and that he should be the start and make the move to stop slavery. Banneker explains this to Jefferson in such a way that the letter is both respectful and thoughtful while also being rude due to the use of how he phrases his sentences, that his argument can not be questioned because of his use of ‘Sir’ to show his respect, and his ardent choice of words which are all collectively used to explain how Jefferson is being hypocritical and show him why he should fix this.

The intended audience for this document was Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson was a prominent figure during this time in American History and Benjamin Banneker felt he was the best person to respectfully address his concerns to.

Thomas Jefferson was President of United State, before the American Revolution he was governor of Virginia and run the office for years, he was vice president under John Adam. He spoke to the people of how he wanted to become President and how his experience can benefit America for a better future. Jefferson owns a lot of slaves after his father died, he inherited them, along with his other brothers. Slavery was always a concern to Jefferson throughout his life, he really didn’t know if he like slavery or not, as president he wanted to free the slave. However, he believes that black was inferior to white, also he had too many slaves that basically help with everything he had, with hard labor.

Most gentlemen would heap mountains of praise upon the late John Adams. Such gentlemen would look at Adams’s life and feel awestruck at how a single man was not only able to contribute greatly towards this country’s founding but also able to serve as both vice president and president of the Unites States. Ignorant men would say that an accomplished man of Adams’s stature would be more than deserving of such recognition. For, according to them, our country flourished under Adams’s influence. However, I, James Madison, do not stand amongst the foolish; I believe that the leadership of this nation under John Adams could only be described as atrocious.

Jefferson and his followers shared very distinct ideals during his administration. The economy, education, and the culture and politics of the country were among his most premiered ideals, ones in which he focused a lot of time and energy on. When Jefferson and his followers, began their journey on setting forth and achieving their goals, they did everything to resist to any and all forms of aristocracy. They did not trust the aristocracy education system, the economy, and especially not the aristocracy politics.

“Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” He should believe so, as Thomas Jefferson’s actions clearly characterize his individual self, while also inducing the question, Does Thomas Jefferson deserve the honor he possesses, through these eminent actions? Many people believe that Thomas Jefferson is a powerful individual who helped form our country, and was a great leader through his presidential career. He made the best out of difficult situations, when he knew the complete situation had to remain unsolved, and he also wrote the Declaration of Independence for the help of our country. On the other hand, it can also be debated that Thomas Jefferson is a hypocritic man that nearly destroyed our military,

How did Jefferson's view of the role of the federal government differ from those of his predecessors?

Thomas Jefferson and Meriwether Lewis both reflected their views about US-Indian relations and Indian society. Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Marquis de Chastellux in 1785 describing about the relations between Indians of North America and whites. A journal entry written by Meriwether Lewis in 1805 portrays the true picture of diplomatic relations between the Indians of North America and the United States. The letter written by Thomas Jefferson gives the impression that Jefferson described the US-Indian relations based on intuitions and rational thinking. The journal entry composed by Lewis is based on ground realities and facts. It can be argued that both Jefferson and Lewis were advocates of strong and healthy relationships between Indians tribes and United States. But at the same time there was a huge difference between their thinking and decision making approach.

He also talks about how farming is the ideal way of life. Saying that farmers are independent groups of people, that can provide food, clothing and shelter for themselves. Someone who has ownership to their land worked for themselves and owed nothing to anyone could, therefore, have trust with the public good. Framers wouldn’t need favors from other people, and so they wouldn’t get caught up in political schemes. In his statement, Jefferson emphasis on the fact that the United States should focus on remaining agricultural and leave the industry and manufacturing in Britain. Thomas Jefferson owned a lot of lands and many slaves. He made a living based on farming and cultivation and hoped to expand the nation’s independence. His ideas based on an “Agrarian ”, that is a nation of small farmer-landowners, economically and politically independent. In the 1790’s southern states where a majority of farming society.In the South, especially, people agreed with Jefferson, and the South remained almost entirely agricultural until after the Civil