Jefferson 's Views On Human Nature And The Democratic Ideals

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

He wanted to avoid building a nation based on industrialization and manufacturing; he believed it would most likely lead to immorality. He had profound confidence in America’s potential for a great nation. According to etext.virginia.edu, he believed all men had certain rights, rights that could not be destroyed or created, and stand whether or not government is present. For Jefferson, a suitable government was one that did not limit individual rights, nor did it allow any individual to limit the rights of another.

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.

A Vision Achieved      Jefferson envisioned a government that allowed its citizens to exercise inalienable rights. In exact words, he states, “ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” To be more evident, how can we define these “inalienable rights” of “life”, “liberty”, and the “pursuit of happiness?” Have these inalienable rights, achieved Jefferson’s goal? I am convinced, Jefferson’s revolutionary vision of life, liberty, and happiness has at last been achieved in America.

Thomas Jefferson represents the common man. He believes in strict adherence to the constitution. Jefferson wants the rights of an individual state to trump federal government regulations. The reason Jefferson believes in states’ rights is that he believes the government can better relate to the people in this form. He envisions the United States as a primarily agrarian society. Hamilton in favor of strong government and believes consolidation equates to efficiency and order. He envisions the United States as a primarily manufacturing society.

I agree with your analysis of how Thomas Jefferson presented himself as a "Republican Man" to his peers. I like that you also mention that e tried to distinguish himself from the Federalist administration of John Adams. The Adams administration was know for throwing lavish parties, showing his wealth and status. Thomas Jefferson in keeping with "Republican Man" ideology distanced himself from these practices by never refusing a meeting or throwing large parties. We now know that Thomas Jefferson tried very hard to keep up his front as a "Republican Man". The main location this deception is present is at his home at Monticello. A very important aspect of Monticello that you mentioned was that it as designed to look like a

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

The thing that draws us to Thomas Jefferson is his knowledge of the way things were and where things needed to go. In declaring he was the author of the Declaration of Independence gives us something we can trust. The two “all men are created equal” and the fact that Thomas Jefferson owned slaves are irreconcilable. Granted that he is forgiven in the sense that he is human and not much else. His level of understanding and the commitment he gave to it, absolutely is the story of America. With “equality” meaning they should be given the same opportunity to fulfill their dreams as others are. It’s is with that great privilege this country or other counties have an obligation to make sure a person has the skills necessary to live a full life. Thomas Jefferson was a great man, no not at our time, but his own time. Though, he didn’t set his slaves free upon his death as some of his friends had. Even though slavery didn’t end until the 19 th century, Thomas Jefferson was concerned that if they had let the slaves go free it would somehow backfire. Racist is a term we use but in Thomas Jefferson’s life it was unheard of. In a very normal way Thomas Jefferson gave us very up-lifting words and inspiration but at the very same time had beliefs that were that were against what he said. Not only Thomas Jefferson is human, but also to say “forgive him” is allowing him an easy way out. We hold him close as a man who did some extraordinary

Jefferson wanted a separation of powers within the government in order to prevent one person or group having a tyrannical hold over the nation. He believed

Thomas Jefferson’s domestic policy was based principally on the organization of a new, limited federal government that concerned itself solely with current affairs, leaving state governments in control of responsibilities at home. His first order of business as President was the establishment of a “wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another” but should otherwise leave them alone to handle their own matters of business (567). Jefferson “favored

Thomas Jefferson believed in the ?strict interpretation'; of the constitution, especially the Tenth Amendment. The Tenth Amendment states,'; the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.'; Jefferson argued that since the Constitution did not specifically empower the federal government to establish a national bank, thus it could not do so. Hamilton argued for a loose interpretation. He relied on the implied powers clause which states that Congress can make all laws ?necessary and proper'; for the execution of its power.

“We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” Thomas Jefferson believed those words as he chose to write the Summary View of the Rights of British America, The Declaration of Independence, and the Virginia Constitution. Jefferson retained many powerful beliefs about the freedom and rights of America. Jefferson was an amazingly gifted writer. He knew what he wanted to express and how to put it into words. These writings along with many more played an immense part in gaining America the freedom we enjoy today.

Jefferson was the founder of the Democratic-Republic Party and believed in an agrarian society with strong local governments (i.e. a weak central government). He thought that the states should yield most of the power so that the citizens could control what happens to them

During the Early Republic, the French had control over the Mississippi. This resulted in the blockage of the American westward expansion and was a threat to the American western agriculture exports. Early America was split into two views: Democratic-Republican and Federalist. Both sides had opposite thoughts about how the government should take on economic problems. Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican believed that farming was better for the economy. On the other side, Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist, promoted manufacturing and business. The two men had very different opinions but, Jefferson’s views on economy played a greater role in shaping the United states.

Jefferson conceded that foreign affairs and national defense were best controlled by the power of a large central government, but stood by his convictions that domestic affairs should be handled at a state level, common people should have power over their state governmental policies. (Boyer, et., al., 2008)