How Did Thomas Jefferson Shaped The Early American Republic?

In the 18th and 19th century, Thomas Jefferson and James Maddison were very influential in American history. Jefferson was head of the Republican party throughout his presidency, while Maddison was a Federalist. Jefferson opposed large tariffs and believed that large armies, navies, and banks would lead to a Monarchy, so he cut their funding- in other words he was against what Federalists stood for.

Thomas Jefferson’s election commenced a new era in American government in many ways. First and foremost, the election of 1800 marked the first peaceful transition in power from one political party to another. Subsequently, Jefferson's beliefs in the federal government were reflected in his policies in a number of ways. Lastly, the case of Marbury v. Madison left an influential impact on the judicial branch of government.

The Jacksonian democracy of the 1820s-1830s is often associated with an expansion of the political influence, economic opportunities, and social equality available to “the common man,” a concept of the masses which President Andrew Jackson and his newly founded Democratic party came to represent. The new administration certainly saw gains for the majority; namely, public participation in government increased to unprecedented levels, and several economic decisions were made to favor the people over monopolies. Beginning with their exaggerated portrayal of the “corrupt” 1824 election however, the Jacksonian democrats also left a legacy of substantial miscalculations

Although Jefferson favored a smaller government than the one created, he still contributed to the Constitution a great deal. Without Jefferson, some of the “Bill of Rights mainstays such as the right to bear arms and religious freedom may have not held up so strongly” (3). Jefferson did not allow his differing views on the structure of government or being overseas get in the way of positively contributing to the Constitution. Jefferson used his friendship with James Madison as well as his strong political views to contributed to the Convention in a beneficial way. Although Jefferson was not present at the time, he was still able to influence the Constitution and change the Bill of Rights. Jefferson ensured certain freedom aspects of the Bill of Rights remained in the Constitution, which helped create the great nation on the foundation of freedom for all

In the span of 20 years, 42 states elected by the people, and 27 states elected by the legislature. (Document 1). The election of Jackson was considered a “revolution,” because of its peaceful transfer of power. This revolution was different from any other, because it was achieved by ballots rather than bullets. Jacksonians cried, “Shall the people rule?” and the answer was, “The people shall rule!” Andrew Jackson was so notable that people have come 500 miles to see him and think that the country is rescued from some dreadful danger. It is said Jackson’s victory accelerated the transfer of national power from the country-house to the farmhouse, from the East to the West, and from the snobs to the mobs. If Jackson was a hero of the gentleman farmer, he was surely a hero of the dirt farmer. Jackson was democratic because he granted all men equal rights, and believed that the common man is just as good as the wealthy. This is how he got all his support, most of which came from the common man. We must also consider that he was a common man who became successful as president. He disagreed with the wealthy, who tried to empower the common man/farmers, and was a large supporter of wester farmers, low tariffs, and pet banks, rather than a national bank. (Document 2).

Eugene R. Sheridan is a member of the Princeton University Department of History and Senior Associate Editor of the Papers of Thomas Jefferson. He has written books and articles on a number of subjects in early American History. To begin with, the author cites specific achievements that Thomas Jefferson made, starting with the contributions he did when he was part of the Continental Congress. “As a member of the Continental Congress, he proclaimed in the imperishable prose of the Declaration of Independence the values of liberty, equality, and natural rights that always have been at the heart of the American experiment in self-government” (Sheridan 64). He specifically speaks about his participation as the main author of the Declaration of Independence.

Did you know that the man who invented the swivel chair was also the third president of the United States? Thomas Jefferson was not only a president, he was also a talented musician, an inventor, and wrote the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was a great president because he was against the Alien and Sedition Acts, he wrote the Declaration of Independence, and handled the Louisiana Purchase.

The evolution of democracy from the time of President Thomas Jefferson to President Andrew Jackson can be depicted as a minimal change in conceptually agrarian viewpoints and strong supporters of equality for the common man. While the two men essentially shared many of the same beliefs and ideas, there was a noticeable difference to how they acted on them and spoke out about them.

Thomas Jefferson was the third American President. Due to the fact that he was such an early President, he influenced our political system greatly, both in the short and long term with his seemingly quiet approach to congressional matters. During his presidency, many things happened that changed the United States as we know it. He coordinated the Louisiana Purchase, assisted in implementing the twelfth amendment, formed the character of the modern American President, and cut the U.S.’s war debt by a third.

Jefferson accomplished a lot while he was president that affected everyone at this time and even us today. While Jefferson was president, he wrote the Declaration of Independence. It was written to declare the independence the colonies had from Great Britain. He also stated that all men should be created equally and stated that slavery is against our most important rights, life and liberty itself. Jefferson wrote a bill establishing that all virginia schools were to give all children male or female, get three years of teaching in writing, reading arithmetic and history. He also came up with the Louisiana Purchase. It was land deal between the U.S. and France. In order to buy all this land he used Hamilton 's finacial plan, which was a good plan until it provoked the

A period of nearly 30 years are associated with the Presidency of Jefferson, his successors and his ‘democracy’ from 1801 until Andrew Jackson’s election in 1828. A vision of a united, equal America, limited government and natural aristocracy ruled the Jeffersonian style of democracy. However, with the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828, a new form of democracy, differentiating in multiply ways to the Jeffersonian America, engulfed the American political and social scene. Jacksonian Democracy, a dream of the common man, the use of the Presidential veto, and Anglo-Saxonism as well other elements dominated this form of democracy and era. Despite this, many

Upon reading and reviewing the text, I began to understand the Jeffersonian Era, and how it was different from the Early Republic Period. Also, why Jefferson was an important president during this era, and some of his problems. This highlights the troubles and triumphs the young country had as it began to shape its identity and place as a nation.

Thomas Jefferson's ideals and beliefs were derived from a deep regard for life, liberty, and freedom. His concept of individual freedoms strongly disagreed with the notion of a "guided republic" which he believed concentrated a great deal unchecked power among a few people. This could have the potential of tyrannical government that might suppress personal freedoms of any kind especially those of religion, which Jefferson feels very strongly felt should be protected. After fighting hard to rid America of British domination, Jefferson was determined to create a government that was responsible to, and derived its powers from, a free people. As the writer of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for

Thomas Jefferson, who led from 1801-1809, was an avid enthusiast of the common man and self government. He believed that the sole purpose of the government was to look out for and support the interests of

Thomas Jefferson once said, “When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty.” Thomas Jefferson believed the best government was the one that governs the least . Jefferson stressed how a small government with limited powers is most likely to leave the people alone and have them enjoy the Blessings of Liberty. Furthermore, Thomas Jefferson was a man who had numerous accomplishments in his life. He was the author of the Declaration of Independence, author of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, founder of the University of Virginia, and the third President of the United States. His strict interpretation of the Constitution was due to his belief that the charter was designed to provide the people with a say in governmental affairs. Mr. Jefferson won the approval from the working class because he fought for them and not the powerful interests of the wealthy. Although Jefferson was a vocal and active leader in the rights of states, his recommendation of the Embargo Act and his support of the Non-Intercourse act resulted in his failure as the Commander In Chief.