Alysha+-+TJ+-+SP09

= = = = = Thomas Jefferson = April 13, 1743-July 5, 1826 Political party: Democratic-Republican Terms in Office: 1801-1805 vice president: Aaron Burr 1805-1809 vice president: George Clinton

Thomas Jefferson did many great things during his presidency.He is knows for the Louisiana purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Thomas Jefferson was a very successful president and for that he deserves a B+.

One of the goals of Thomas Jefferson was to limit federalism. He also was opposed to the Alien and Sedition Acts, so he wanted to get rid of them. He wanted to decrease national debt as well. He accomplished his goal of limiting federalism as soon as he took office. His presidency was said to be the "fall of federalism." He took it very seriously. He also accomplished this goal by allowing the court systems to declare laws passed by congress, "unconstitutional." This was called judicial overrule. Some of his other accomplishments were allowing the Alien and Sedition Acts to end, and he repealed the tax that was put on whiskey that caused the whiskey rebellion.

Thomas Jefferson had a good relationship with congress. They assisted in limiting federalism because a majority of them were also democratic-republican. This made it easier on him because he and congress were on the same page.

The Louisiana Purchase was one of the most significant accomplishments in Jefferson's presidency. In 1803, he purchased land that doubled the size of the United States for $15 million, from France. It added up to over 800,000 acres of land. Then, Jefferson sent Lewis, Clark, and their men to explore the new territory. They brought back journals with them of maps and details explaining what they saw. This would help future explorers who are looking to explore the new land.

On the other hand, Jefferson also made some bad decisions. The Embargo Act was passed in 1807. This law forbade the export of all goods from the United States in both American and foreign ships. His goal was to end British impressment, which is when the British would captures Americans who they thought were British and force them to serve in the navy. However, the British had a good growing season the following year and were suddenly less dependent on the Americans, so it only hurt the US.

Jefferson's accomplishments during his presidency would forever influence future presidents. The creation of judicial overrule would be used in government for many years to come. His purchase of the Louisiana Territory also affected future president to come. Also, with Jefferson being the beginning of the downfall of federalism, it would keep lessening as time went on with new presidents.

Jefferson accomplished most of his goals during his presidency. He did many good things for our country, like doubling it's size with the Louisiana purchase, and establishing judicial overrule. He did make a few mistakes, like any president would. Due to his successful terms in office, Thomas Jefferson deserves a B+.

Bibliography: http://americanhistory.about.com/od/thomasjefferson/p/pjefferson.htm http://www.nps.gov/archive/jeff/lewisclark2/circa1804/heritage/louisianapurchase/louisianapurchase.htm http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/lewis-clark/ http://americanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_embargo_act_of_1807