Thomas Jefferson

By: JP

The 3rd President of the United States of America, served from 1801-1807

Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson lived at Albemarle County, Virginia, where he inherited 5,000 acres of land for farming.

Jefferson was a farmer and also a tinker, meaning he liked to craft and build things.

Job Training

During his time in the Virginia House of Burgesses, Jefferson composed probably the most significant document in the history of America.. The Declaration of Independence, which declared freedom from the English.

Political Background

In 1785, Jefferson succeeded Benjamin Franklin as Minister of France.

Jefferson also wrote a bill in 1786 establishing religious freedom, The Virginia Act.

He supported the concept of separation of church and state.

Political Background Cont.

Political conflict developed between the two separate parties of that time, the Federalist and Democratic-Republican Party.

Jefferson attacking the Federalist policies, opposing a strong centralized government and the rights of states.

Election Issues

Also his sympathy for the French Revolution led to conflict between Alexander Hamilton, while Jefferson was Secretary of State for President Washington’s Cabinet.

Election Issues Cont.

As a faithful candidate for the 1796 election, Jefferson only lost by 3 electoral votes to his opponent John Adams. Jefferson become Vice President.

Campaign

When Jefferson become President in 1801, he did many things..

Slashed Army and Navy Expenditures. Cut the budget Eliminated tax on whisky Reduced national debt by a 3rd. Send a Naval Squadron to fight the Barbary

Pirates, who harassed Commerce in Mediterranean.

Acquired Louisiana territory from France in 1803. Expanding the United States.

Jefferson’s 1st Term

Jefferson’s 2nd Election, 1804

Jefferson was preoccupied during his whole 2nd term with keeping the Nation from involving with the Napoleonic wars, even though England and France interfered with the rights of American ships.

Jefferson tried to put an embargo on American shipping but it failed and made him very unpopular.

Jefferson’s 2nd Term

Cartoon

Political Cartoon attacking Jefferson. Result from Hamilton and Jefferson’s arguments getting more severe as Washington’s term continued.

"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.“

-Thomas Jefferson, 1800.

Quote

Pictures

1st Jefferson Stamp, 1856 Memorial plaque in

France to honor Jefferson as Prime Minister.

Picture of Jefferson, 1805.

Trumbull, John. Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. 1817. The Declaration      of Independence by Trumbull. Web. 17 Mar. 2011.      <http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/trumbull.htm>.

"Thomas Jefferson." The White House. White House, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2011.      <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/thomasjefferson>.

Thomas Jefferson. February 20, 2010. Roaring Republican. Roaring Republican.      Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://roaringrepublican.com/blog/2010/02/20/      thomas-jefferson-argues-for-intelligent-design/>.

1796 Election. N.d. National Atlas of the United States. United States      Presidential Elections. Web. 19 Mar. 2011.      <http://unitedstatespresidentialelection.blogspot.com/2008/02/1796.html>.

Peale, Rembrandt. Thomas Jefferson. N.d. New York Historical Society, New York.      Wikipedia. Web. 19 Mar. 2011. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/      New_York_Historical_Society>.

Sources