How Stephen Ambrose Shows His Purpose In Thomas Jefferson's America

During the 18th Century America was dealing with independence from Europe and trying to establish them as a strong country. As far as government goes, a monarchal government was not in question. Many people saw great opportunity to step up and contribute ideas that will make America into the country of preference. One of these men was 3rd president and member of the original founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson. While most Americans view Thomas Jefferson as an upstanding and honorable man, he was plagued with the moral contradiction of having fathered children with one of his slaves Sally Heming’s and as a result spurred a great deal of controversy. As a result of his action’s Jefferson’s virtuous demeanor is questioned and shows how

Over the past few weeks of class, we have covered the first five chapters of our textbook, written by George Brown Tindell and David Emory Shi called, “America, A Narrative History.” Each chapter told the reader a narration of the history of America, as opposed to an expository version of America’s history. Each chapter had its own main idea over a portion of history, along with many details that cover the importance of the main idea. As a reader, one may obtain a deeper appreciation for the country 's history, prior to entering the class on the first day. The most important aspect of history, besides the battles that are fought, is the different cultures that make up today’s modern America.

The document holds historical value as a result of its context. Within the fourth paragraph he states, “it is proper you should understand what I deem the essential principles of our government, and consequently those which ought to shape its administration…stating the general principle” and follows with a list of all of his political beliefs. This is historically valuable because it presents the political opinions of Jefferson through his own words. Also, the document serves the purpose of addressing the people. This is valuable because it shows that Jefferson had to appeal to the people of the nation while giving this speech. So, it can be assumed that he kept this in mind while preparing the

During the early formation of our nation, many great authors were putting their thoughts and feelings down on paper. These early American writers were the foundation upon which the literary culture of America was founded. Among these are the early writings of John Smith, Anne Bradstreet and Thomas Jefferson. Their writings were completed during a time of exploration and colonization characterized by many historical political and cultural transitions, and their literature accurately describes the events of that period. The literary works of these important authors convey the hardships that they experienced in a new land, as well as the evolution of the government and culture.

Although “historians no longer use the word “discovery” to describe the European exploration, conquest and colonization of a hemisphere already home to millions of people”, it was one of the greatest and most important discoveries ever in our history that changed the lives of millions of people. (Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty: An American History (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2008), pg 1.) For some the “discovery”of America would mean an opportunity for a better life, for others the “discovery” brought misery and death.

When the first American settlement on Roanoke Island was established in 1585 it’s primary force, Sir Walter Raleigh, had no idea that this “New World” would evolve into one of the most powerful voices in the modern world. But before it developed it would have to shaped by it’s founders from the Western world. Two of the largest voices in America’s early development are John Smith, who with a group of English merchants, hoped to get rich in this new land, and William Bradford, a puritan farmer who was one of the most influential men involved with the Mayflower compact. In their two pieces they both convey America as a place to escape but

1. In the first paragraph of the declaration, Jefferson states the reason for the writing of this document. What reason does he give?

Throughout history society has to go through many changes that not only affect many of the people but also the areas around the transformation. The main point of Fredrick Jackson Turner’s thesis is what the real essence of America is, and how we’re all influenced by the many changes we have to go through. He believes that American history should not be focused on the extension of European enterprise. The society will have to realize that America will have to be emancipated because of the fact that we had a country with an unlimited amount of boundaries and have to come to realization that we have many closed-spaced limits. The views in the seminal essay share his thoughts on the idea of how the frontier shaped

The first chapters introduce the life of the American people and the failed of the Articles of Confederation which is in chronological time, yet the division later in issues makes the reader confuse about the time line. The authors based their work mostly on Madison “notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787” and also in Georgia delegate William Pirce Farrand’s records; the “notes” of Pierce and Madison, focuses on the conflicts and compromises giving the book a sense of a time line, yet the biographies of some of the other delegates cause confusion on the historical time of the overall book.

The dearly departed Thomas Jefferson has been portrayed as a colossal influence throughout the American revolutionary era, but to say just that is a colossal understatement. In his youth, the American hero gradually rose to politics, gaining reputation with quite the jack-of-all-trades knack including linguistics, architecture, and philosophy (“Thomas Jefferson” 1). While tensions between the colonists and British soldiers of the American colonies were slowly building up to the American Revolution of 1776, Jefferson became a lawyer in Virginia in 1767; mastering his craft of law until being admitted to the House of Burgesses in 1769 and later to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia of 1775 (“Thomas Jefferson” 1).

American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson, a biography by Joseph Ellis, encompasses many aspects of one of the most controversial and unforgettable American Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and a man of astonishing achievements, left behind a legacy of paradoxes and mysteries, which are thoroughly analyzed throughout the novel. Unlike some people, who are easily characterized and have definite opinions, Thomas Jefferson’s beliefs and intentions remain unclear to many. Simply stated, Ellis describes Jefferson as “the enigmatic and elusive touchstone for the most cherished convictions and contested truths in American culture” (51). His words were often not reflected in his actions and similarly, his thoughts on important matters appeared wavering. Despite this uncertainty, Thomas Jefferson played a dominant role in the establishment and maintenance of a new nation and continues to influence American culture and politics to this day.

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.

Additionally, because of America’s “errand,” there was a cultural and physical transformation of the natural terrain. Land clearing, creation of railroads, cultivating of monocultures, and centralized capital all increased to promote the America’s economic prosperity. They did not want the land to go to waste.

(Del Castillo 4) Americans believed they “were the ‘pioneers of the continent,’ who would inevitably spread the benefits of democracy and freedom to the lesser peoples inhabiting the region”(Del Castillo 4).