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Anti-Federalist/Democratic-Republican Virginia had an agriculturally based society and economy. Many of the people living in Virginia made most of their money off of growing and selling staple crops such as tobacco. Virginia was one of the most populated states in the union and had a large middle class. However, much of Virginia was suffering after the war due to the loss of trade with Britain which is where much of its exports went. Many people fell into debt and weren’t very financially stable.
 * Thomas Jefferson **
 * State Representing: Virginia **

Thomas Jefferson was born in Albemarle Virginia in 1743. He inherited over 5,000 acres from his father who had been a fairly successful farmer and he had a high social rank due to his mother. He attended the College of William and Mary where he studied law. Shortly after college he met and married Martha Wayles Skelton. He then entered politics and was in the Virginia House of Burgesses. He was also at the Continental Congresses and drafted the Declaration of Independence. After Benjamin Franklin was done being minister to France Jefferson took the job. He was sympathetic of the French Revolution and wanted to keep peace with the French. He then became Secretary of State under George Washington, Vice President to John Adams, and then finally he became the third president of the United States.
 * Occupation and Socio-Economic Background **

Thomas Jefferson was not present at either the Constitutional Convention or the ratification of the constitution in Virginia. He was working as minister in France at the time of both. However his opinion was heard. He agreed on many issues with James Madison who was one of the most out spoken individuals at the convention. They both pushed very hard for the rights of individuals.
 * Constitutional Convention and Virginian Ratification **

Jefferson agreed on many topics with James Madison. The two of them were very outspoken about their concern for individuals’ rights. They can be credited with the creation of the Bill of Rights and James Madison actually wrote the first ten amendments to the constitution. Jefferson was a firm believer that a government should be molded around its people and actually encouraged people to rebel when their government is denying them their rights and their needs. Jefferson was also concerned with some of the powers granted to congress such as the ability to raise armies and keep them supplied and active as long as they please. He believed that this gave them too much power and he thought that the entire central government was too strong. Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams were also allies of Jefferson along with the majority of the Anti-Federalists.
 * Friends **

Alexander Hamilton was by far Thomas Jefferson’s biggest rival. They had very different opinions on almost every matter. The rivalry started with Jefferson’s interest in France. It carried into Washington’s presidency where they both served under Washington in his cabinet. At the Constitutional Convention Hamilton was very outspoken about the importance of a strong central government which is exactly what Jefferson did not want. Other political foes of Jefferson were Federalists such as Ben Franklin and George Washington.
 * Foes **

"The Economic Crisis of the 1780s." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association. Web. 20 Sept. 2009. [].
 * Bibliography **

"Establishing a Federal Republic - Thomas Jefferson (Library of Congress Exhibition)." Library of Congress Home. Library of Congress, 6 Feb. 2001. Web. 20 Sept. 2009. [].


 * Ford, Paul L. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson. New York, 1892. Print.

"Thomas Jefferson." Whitehouse.gov. Web. 20 Sept. 2009. .

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