Steph+S.+-+TJ+-+SP10

Born:** April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826
 * THOMAS JEFFERSON
 * Political Party: ** Democratic-Republican
 * Terms: ** (1801-1805) (1805-1809)
 * Vice President: ** Aaron Burr (1801-1805), George Clinton (1805-1809)

Thomas Jefferson should not only be known for his brilliance during the Revolution, but also for his work as the third president of the United States. In general, I believe that Jefferson should receive a B as president. Not only did he repeal unpopular taxes, win the Tripolitan War, and abolish the slave trade, but he also doubled the size of the country with the Louisiana Purchase. Nonetheless, he also had problems during his presidency. Most especially is the Embargo Act, which severely damaged America’s economy.
 * Thesis: **

As the third president of the United States, Jefferson’s main goal was national unity. Tensions had been rising between political parties, the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, and his first inaugural address revolves around this, stating “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists”. To accomplish this, Jefferson kept Federalist public servants and left many Federalist ideas intact. Without anything to oppose, the Federalist party soon fades away. However, his objective to restore virtue after Federalist rule was carried out when he let the Alien and Sedition Acts expire, restored freedom of the press, and enacted the naturalization law of 1802, which brought the fourteen years of residency back down to five.
 * Goals: **

Also in his first inaugural address, Jefferson promises no alliances and true friendship with other nations. This goal Jefferson was adamant to keep, as he could have had war several times but took measures to avoid it. He was successful, except for the Tripolitan War. Decreasing national debt was also a priority. Already believing that military force wasn’t necessary involving other nations, Jefferson reduced the army and navy dramatically, keeping only twenty-five hundred men. Even though he eliminated the excise tax that heavily affected the working class, by the time he left the office he decreased the national debt by a third. Lastly, his goal of creating a democratic, agricultural nation in America, would fail.

During Jefferson’s first term as president, his relationship with Congress was very good. Being a Democratic-Republican, he was able to let certain acts expire, such as the Alien and Sedition Act, and remove unfavorable taxes against the working class. His relationship with Congress made possible the restoration of freedom of press, as well as the downsizing of the army and navy. Trouble came during his second term, as conflicts within the Republican party started to arise. Aaron Burr caused difficulty as well, as he and others in the west try to secede from the east. Jefferson foils this plan, arresting Burr, and, though complicated, keeps control of Congress. However, throughout his entire term, Jefferson never had to use the veto power.
 * Relationship with Congress: **

Thomas Jefferson achieved many things during his presidency that affected America positively. Not only was the unpopular whiskey tax repealed, but he also pardoned many Democratic-Republicans serving time and owing fines under the Alien and Sedition Act. In 1801, Jefferson reluctantly had to fight the Barbary pirates after entering into the Tripolitan War. After four years of fighting, the infant navy defeats them, a treaty is negotiated, and Americans are no longer harassed in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1802, Jefferson and Congress establish the United States Military Academy. Also, the constitutional agreement to abolish the slave trade in 1807 occurs during his second term. With Jefferson’s approval, the Senate passes the bill, and makes it $800 to knowingly purchase an illegally imported slave and $20,000 to equip a slave ship. Avoiding war with France and Britain was also a positive for Jefferson, and led to the purchase of the Louisiana Territory.
 * Positives: **

In 1800, Spain cedes Louisiana to Britain. Americans can no longer sail down the Mississippi River to wait for ocean-going ships, giving way to angry cries and wishes to march into New Orleans, rifles in hand. Louisiana in the hands of Napoleon would also eventually lead to war as well, prompting an alliance with Britain. Evading all this, Jefferson and the Senate approve the Louisiana Purchase. Western explorers flood this new territory. Jefferson authorizes two in particular to navigate the recently acquired land, Lewis and Clark. Sent to establish good relations with the native Indians, they also brought back scientific observations and maps. Not only did they search the Louisiana Territory, but traveled up the Missouri River, crossed the Rocky Mountains, and to the Pacific coast. The Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark expedition greatly expanded the fortunes of the United States.

Despite these accomplishments, Jefferson also had troubles. Most notably was the dreaded Embargo Act of 1807. Even though he refused to take sides during the wars between Britain and France, the United States were still getting involved. The rights of American seamen were violated as British press gangs forced them to enlist; many died or were killed. Ignoring cries of war from enraged Americans, peace loving Jefferson stuck with his no-war policy and instead strived to solve the problem with the Embargo Act. This forbade the exportation of all goods from America, hoping that Britain and France would suffer tremendously and respect their rights. Instead, the only suffering done was to America’s economy. Many were without jobs and a great surplus of goods piled up in the south, both which led to smuggling. Even though Jefferson realizes this, he passes legislation to enforce the Act even more. Finally, three days before he leaves office, the Non-Intercourse Act is passed, lifting all restrictions except those against Britain and France. While there is no doubt that the Embargo Act debacle wasn’t handled well, it did force New England to industrialize.
 * Negatives: **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Decisions made by Thomas Jefferson impacts later generations and today. The Louisiana Purchase added 828,000 square miles to the new nation, securing a wealth of resources and leading to expansion. If missionaries, fur-traders, and pioneers hadn’t pushed their way west, America wouldn’t have had a claim to the Oregon Country. He also set precedents for future presidents, some that lasted for a while and some that were broken. These include the clerk reading messages sent to congress, replacing public servants under the spoils system, and the acquiring of land and the people that live there by purchase. In addition, he was the first president to be inaugurated at the Capitol.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Effect on Future Administrations/Generations: **

Even events Jefferson wasn’t directly responsible for affect us. In 1801, Jefferson and his vice president, Aaron Burr, receive the same number of electoral votes. The Twelfth Amendment is later ratified, stating that voting for president and vice president would now take place separately. One of the most monumental events in history took place in 1801 with the case of //Marbury// v. //Madison//. When Jefferson and his administration refuse to pay William Marbury his commission after replacing him with a new judge, he sues. John Marshall dismisses the suit, but establishes judicial review. The Supreme Court now has the final say on the question of constitutionality.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">All things considered, I think the country was better off at the end of Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. Jefferson overcomes questions of constitutionality when he purchases the Louisiana Territory, which greatly expanded the new nation and also encouraged pioneering. The boundaries of the United States today might have been different. Jefferson doesn’t deserve an A, in my opinion, because of his response to the war between Britain and France. Trying to avoid conflict, he passes the Embargo Act, but it does much more harm than good. Leaving office, there are high tensions between America and Europe, ultimately leading to war. On the other hand, with the creation of the 12th Amendment, abolition of the slave trade, and other such acts, Jefferson greatly affected our nation, and rightly deserves the grade of a B.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Conclusion: **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant. 12th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. Print. "Origins of the Lewis and Clark Expedition - Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia." Th:Jefferson Encyclopedia. Web. 6 Feb. 2010. <http://wiki.monticello.org/mediawiki/index.php/Origins_of_the_Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition>. "President Thomas Jefferson." American History and World History at Historycentral.com the largest and most complete history site on the web. Web. 6 Feb. 2010. <http://www.historycentral.com/bio/presidents/jefferson.html>. "Thomas Jefferson |." The White House. Web. 6 Feb. 2010. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/thomasjefferson>. "Thomas Jefferson." Americanrevwar. The American Revolution Homepage. Web. 6 Feb. 2010. <http://americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/tjeffers.htm>. "Thomas Jefferson Biography - life, family, death, history, wife, young, son, old, information, born, college, house, time." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Web. 6 Feb. 2010. <http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ho-Jo/Jefferson-Thomas.html>.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Bibliography: **