How Did Thomas Jefferson Influence The Development Of Federal Government

Thomas Jefferson - a member of the House of Burgesses, wrote the Declaration of Independence, was ambassador to France, and was the President of the United States of America. He did all these things before, during, and after the Revolutionary war. With his Declaration of Independence he declared the colonies' freedom from England. While President, he bought the Louisiana Purchase and had Lewis and Clark to explore it.

Both Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson contributed a great impact in the constitution and early republic. However they each show how different they were in many ways. One of those differences included their views in what they believed was best for the nation. Unlike their different views there was something they both share. It seems both these men had its similarities and differences.

Thomas Jefferson was an extremely influential politician and there were many implications that came out of his eight years of presidency in the areas of race, sectionalism and partisan politics. Despite the copious flaws and implications of Jefferson's actions while in office, he accomplished some daunting tasks that aided the development of the young nation. Jefferson was a very controversial leader because it frequently seemed like he was using his power to further the Southern agenda. Having said that, many of his policies and other accomplishments while in office had lasting effects that had implications seen later in the 19th century and through the 21st century as well.

Following the first inauguration within the newly recreated constitution tailored to the liking of all participating states, the well tough words on the paper were put into effect of the reality of bureaucratic system. Fearing the recreation of the tyrant that they finally broke free from, the people of America were sceptic about giving authority to a central government. Realizing from the failure of the Articles of Confederation, the people surrendered to the fact that an authoritative central government was indeed needed. Although giving into the demands of reality, the people were still tied to their fears. Although seemingly well phrased in the constitution, the limits of the authority given to the central government once again became an issue that developed two primary political views. The Republican Party

Thomas Jefferson had a major impact on the United States while he was in office. He wanted a weak central government and a strong state government. Jefferson did not want the same type of government that Britain had. Thomas Jefferson also valued education. He recommended that the state governments push further into free education for all white males. Thomas Jefferson also cut national debt from $83 million to $45 million, despite paying $15 million for the Louisiana Territory, before his presidency came to a close. He majorly cut government spending in his administration as well as on the military. During Jefferson's presidency, he banned all European trade from American ports in response to violations of United States neutrality by Britain

Noble Cunningham’s book mentioned two of the most important people who influenced politics and government in America after the independence. Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were occupying important and sensitive position during that time in the American goverment. Thomas Jefferson, a man born on April, 1743 in a rich family that afford him an excellent education in Virginia (3). However, Alexander Hamilton was born in an uneducated poor family in West Indies on January 11, 1755 (3). Each one of these two politicians had conflict views on issues concerning government that were generated from the environment they lived in.

The Republican Party (later Democratic-Republican Party), created by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson in 1791, challenged the Federalists. While the Federalists favored close ties with the British in foreign affairs, the Republicans wanted to improve relations with France and strengthen the old attachment. Alexander ended up interfering in Jefferson’s domain as Secretary of Foreign Affairs in an attempt to seeing his program come to a completion. This led to a dispute with Jefferson. The two became rivals, always wanting to throw each other out of Washington’s Cabinet.

Jefferson’s first actions as president proved faithful to his claims. He undertook the task of paying off the national debt, and expunged the Alien and Sedition Acts, which he considered blatantly unconstitutional for threatening the freedom of speech (Bober 215) as well as removing the Whiskey Tax and Naturalization laws. Despite this, Jefferson kept most Federalist programs including Federalist Alexander Hamilton’s Report on Public Credit, which included overwhelmingly Federalist viewpoints. Jefferson’s decision to purchase the Louisiana territory from France contradicted his Democratic Republican claims because the government possess no power to add new territory to America and grant citizenship to fifty thousand people. (Bober 216). He argued that the necessary and proper clause gave him the power to accept the deal, a common tactic used by Federalists to expand their powers. Lastly, Jefferson

He believed that a way to “restrain men from injuring one another” is to limit the power of the government. Which led the belief that government should not be too large or powerful which would lead to too much control over the people. He viewed people as free and should be treated as such. Jefferson knew that to much control from the government would cause the citizens to protest or rebel. He felt that the only way to protect our liberty was to not allow the government to rip us of our nature rights or fill us up with debt. He argued how the whole reason for the declaration of the independence was to place a government to give us our rights not to do everything for us and to control everything we do. Jefferson helped establish a country free from absolute power. Jefferson stated that the “true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every citizen in his person and property and in their management.” Thomas Jefferson believed that the people common and wealthy had all the right to be

Throughout the years of building a new nation, there were many conflicting views upon the constitution of the United States of America. Upon those conflicting ideologies was Thomas Jefferson’s beliefs and philosophy of government. After entering the White House, Jefferson greatly maintained his earlier philosophy of government of believing in the states rights by attempting to reserve state's self-government, expressing the flaws in the Constitution, and gaining critics against himself.

Jefferson’s core beliefs were to limit the size of the Federal Government. He was a Republican whose vision for America was an Agrarian utopia. Meaning he wanted small agriculture-centered communities to govern themselves as well as the nation. He wanted to stray away from the economic life of urban manufacturing that London was known for. When Jefferson won office, he began to limit Federal power by firing tax collectors, reducing the size of the military, including the navy. Even though Jefferson wanted an Agrarian Republic, he ended up working against himself and even expanded self-manufacturing, industry, small businesses, and even went as far as greatly increasing Federal power more

Most Americans know who the founding fathers are. But, not many know what they have done for us and how hard they have worked to be a part of the American Revolution. Subconsciously, each of these men had a great impact on the revolution that started this country. Thomas Jefferson loved education and was well known for being the true author of the Declaration of Independence and for his wisdom. Benjamin Franklin, respectfully known as a diplomat, was also known as a great inventor, printer, and writer. Thomas Paine was a spectacular journalist who is best known for his anonymous pamphlet called “Common Sense.” Through these great men, our country rose.

Thomas Jefferson had always been a well liked individual and did many things to contribute to the people who looked up to him. He was an ambitious person who was persistent in getting things done that he thought were right for his people. He had a leadership mindset and was driven to accomplish many tasks no matter how difficult they might be. He showed this in his first inaugural address when he stated that he wanted create “equal justice to all men; freedom of speech, press, and religion; majority rule and minority rights; supremacy of the civil over the military authority; economy in the public expense; the encouragement of agriculture and commerce; peace and commerce with all nations, but entangling alliances with none—these should be "the creed of our political faith,".”1 Jefferson always repeated that “peace is my passion” which is what pursued the start of the Louisiana Purchase. He began planning his goals and taking steps in trying to accomplishing those goals. This became the most important achievement that Thomas Jefferson took on.

Thomas Jefferson was a very influential person and leader in the development of what is modern-day United States. He was a writer, lawyer, and president. He’s one of the well-known figures in U.S history. If you ever seen a twenty dollar bill, Jefferson’s face is printed in the front. Jefferson is known for his estate which is called Monticello and it means “Little Mountain” in Italian.

Jefferson had interpreted the Constitution strictly, and that elections by the people was the best way to guide the government. As president, Jefferson strongly agreed with the idea that the minority should have the most voice and influence. He felt the central government should not be complex and frugal in their ways. To act on his idea of this, he ended internal taxes, decreased the size military forces, and paid off the debt of the government.