Thomas Jefferson's Influence On American Political Culture

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

Jefferson’s idea of the citizen’s natural moral wisdom convinced him that limited government, where power remained in the hands of the people, was the best structure to ensure America’s freedom. He stated, “A wise and frugal Government…shall leave them [men] otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.” Jefferson pushed for a government with a strict interpretation of the Constitution in order to limit governmental powers to those that were

As our nation’s third president, first secretary of state and author Thomas Jefferson has been apprehended as a man that had a major impact on American History. Thomas Jefferson was an influential person that changed America for the best. His actions created a major change in the U.S. and still continue to change America Today. Thomas Jefferson had reasons for what he was trying to accomplish and he knew it would benefit America in the future. I believe Thomas Jefferson had a major impact on American history by purchasing the Louisiana Territory, writing the Declaration Of Independents and Passing the statute of Religious Freedom.

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.

A key concern the federalist’s held since the start of the war with parting from England is that citizens of America could ultimately divided against each other if their voice is not heard with the new form of government that

In contrast, the Democratic Republicans put large amounts of power directly in the hands of the people. Jefferson believed “in the common sense of mankind in general” and distrusted the central government. Democratic Republicans feared the tyranny of an all-powerful national government capable of operating unchecked and unchallenged without the consent of the people. However, their fears were largely unwarranted; the Constitution would not allow for such an oppressive government to exist—even if interpreted loosely—because of the numerous checks and balances put into place by the Founding Fathers. They ensured that the Federal government would always perform the will of the people. However, Jefferson would not compromise and insisted on preaching his outmoded conspiracy theories. Jefferson even went so far as to say, “Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers…alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories.” Unfortunately, this apprehensive philosophy did not work very well for the American people at all; it encouraged the development of factions, an

On the other hand, as the country advanced and refined, it became known that the fixed views of the two political parties needed to be reasonable if the nation were to expand. Jefferson made the first action toward reconciliation and moderation of his political outlook with the Federalists by contributing a sense of peace in his First Inaugural Address (Doc. 3). Jefferson declared, “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists,” signifying Americans are all in this society together and collectively make the world outstanding. Jefferson and his party had to further control their thinking when the chance to purchase the Louisiana Territory from France appeared in 1803 (Doc. 4). There was a lack of preparation in the Constitution for a president to buy more territory. However, the opportunity may have not continued to be accessible for a long amount of time, and Jefferson changed his own “strict construction” aspects and doubled the size of the United States.

The opening of the nineteenth century found Thomas Jefferson and James Madison at the forefront of Democratic-Republican party. As the third and fourth presidents of the United States, respectively, Jefferson and Madison held together a country divided by issues such as foreign policy disputes and political sectionalism. Largely supported by Southern farmers and plantation owners, they aimed to strengthen their country through a rigid interpretation of the Constitution. Strict constructionist Democratic-Republicans believed in limiting the strength of the federal government and preserving the rights of the states. They opposed the broad constructionist Federalists, who preferred a loose interpretation of the Constitution—meaning that the government could assume powers not explicitly stated or prohibited in the Constitution. These Federalists also favored a strong, central government to ensure order and organization throughout the country. Jefferson’s election, deemed the “Revolution of 1800,” was a peaceful transfer of power from the former and last Federalist president, John Adams, to the new Democratic-Republican leader. But with this transfer of power came a shift in policies for both parties. Changing circumstances, as well as political and economic pressures, caused both presidents to compromise their beliefs in order to benefit the country; during their presidencies, they behaved as Democratic-Republicans in some respects and as Federalists in other areas. Though

Thomas Jefferson tried to lower federal spending and diminish the dimensions of the government; however, on account that of strenuous overseas affairs, corresponding to Barbary piracy, he was once soon compelled to develop the size of the U.S. Military and navy. Thomas Jefferson was once elected on the thought that he would provide the farmers of the United States with an increasing of the economy; however, throughout his Presidency, the direction of the nation was set toward giant executive and

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

Though both Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson served as members of President Washington’s cabinet, the two held very different views on the newly founded U.S. government, interpretation of its constitution, and the role of the “masses” in that government. These conflicting views would develop in two political parties, the Federalists led by Hamilton and the Democratic-Republicans led by Jefferson. Although both political parties presented enticing aspects, Hamilton’s views were much more reasonable and fruitful when compared Jefferson’s views; idealistic and too strict in reference to the constitution.

Thomas Jefferson, one of the best presidents America has ever had. Some people believe he was evil for keeping slaves. But, even though he did that, he did more good than bad. He purchased the Louisiana territory, greatly expanding America. Even before he was president he helped America, he was the main author of the Declaration of Independence. Also after being president he helped by founding the University of Virginia.

There have been several people that have influenced our country to what it is today. All of these people are clearly important and have done significant deeds to receive recognition and to be involved with the 8th grade U.S. History curriculum. Out of all of these people there is only one that stands the most and deserves the most praise for what they have done to help make this country the best it can be. Thomas Jefferson had the longest lasting impact on America because he wrote the Declaration of Independence, he believed in being a Democratic-Republican, and he purchased the Louisiana Territory. First off, he is considered the most important for writing the Declaration of Independence.

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.

Jefferson didn't like high taxes, tariffs, regulations or even a national bank. These were all in violation of the kind of society and government he wished to see. Jefferson believed in a utopia where all people would be self-sufficient farmers and have their own property, and a small government would be used to do the minimal amount of work needed to keep the peace. Therefore, an economic system was practically nonexistent.