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Thomas Jefferson April 13, 1743 (Shadwell Plantation, Goochland County, Virginia) – July 4, 1826 (Monticello, near Charlottesville, Virginia) Political Party: Democratic-Republican Terms: 3rd President of the United States, 1801-1809 (two total terms in office) Vice President: Aaron Burr (1801-1805), and George Clinton (1805-1809)

Early 1800s America was a time of social and political progression. The dawning of a new era had begun; it was the age of independence, a time of new American identity. A new nation had been created, a constitution had been ratified, and some of the greatest political minds of the time flooded the nation’s capital. The stage was set for the growth of this beautiful union. War behind us, a clear path for creation and growth illuminated ahead of us, a time of peace where we stood. Indeed, the first decade of the 19th century was a time of peace and prosperity for the United States. The country was united, and the government stood strong. Unrest brought revolution, revolution brought change, change brought peace, and that leaves us off in the year 1801. Prepared for progression, the American people were excited to see where the nation’s next leader would take them.

A major development in the American identity that occurred during Thomas Jefferson's presidency was the shift in political views from primarily federalist to primarily democratic. President Adams left the nation believing in a steady mindset of balanced and conservative federalism. Although Adams success as a president convinced the American people of the strength behind his ideals, Thomas Jefferson was a man of ultimate democratic principles, and he was prepared to show the nation the way to liberty through a democratic mindset. Jefferson's ways underlined the importance of being liberal and progressing towards liberty in all pursuits. Another way the American identity was revolutionized through the Jefferson administration was his stance on equality for all peoples, black or white. These ideals proved to be very useful in the advancement towards the abolishing of slavery in the United States, as Jefferson would later pass the act declaring the illegality of U.S. involvement in the international slave trade. Jefferson's ideals and modes of thought changed the entire demeanor of the American identity for at least a decade. But for the time-being, the ever-changing American dream was geared on democratic theory, much to the appeal of the nation's leader.

At the turn of the 18th century, the United States was under the direction of a gentle, but firm, hand of a new political genius. Thomas Jefferson assumed control of the newly independent country in 1801, with confidence in his abilities and a strong desire to do great things during his term as president of the United States. Jefferson was known for his tendency to be somewhat introverted. He was an eloquent correspondent, but his public speaking ability was less enhanced relative to his ability to write strongly worded essays and perfectly flowing arguments in the face of political pressures. His views on tyranny versus liberty were exceptionally revolutionary. His overt patriotism was easily recognizable through his writings, particularly, the Declaration of Independence (1776) and his first inaugural address (1801). Thomas Jefferson was a true American patriot and friend to many. He was a strong advocate of the idea of a purely democratic America; one of his largest goals as president was to follow through with this idea and settle all disputes between federalists and democrats. He strived for peace in all of his encounters as president, sometimes failing, but most times quite successful. For his efforts in office, and for his prevalent mindset of patriotism in all things, Jefferson deserves a B+.

Thomas Jefferson was a humble man. One of the most prevalent themes throughout his entire 1801 inaugural address was that he was astonished, thankful, and undeserving of his new position of such great authority. While this could be taken by the people in a poor way (e.g. he is unconfident, he does not know what he’s doing), it showed his virtue more than anything. Jefferson approached his position with humility and subtle strength. That being said, he had several major goals in mind which he presented within his inaugural address. He wanted to unite the established order, by way of settling rifts between federalists and democrats. He believed in a peaceful approach to politics, and he wanted to settle that ideal into the government one way or another. He also wanted to establish exact and equal treatment and representation for every American citizen; a roundabout way of declaring his interest in abolishing slavery in the United States. In addition, he wanted to settle all foreign disputes, give more power to the state governments, improve and build up the nation’s militia, and give utmost power to the majority; the decision of domestic matters in the hands of the American people. In hindsight, many of these goals were carried out to the best of his ability, with the exception of his primary goal, that being to create a completely democratic America. Jefferson established the outlaw of the importation of slaves to America; a critical step in his goal of cross-racial equality in America, as well as the ultimate demise of slavery in the nation decades later. On the matter of settling foreign disputes, the non-importation act was passed, suspending the importation on certain British goods into America in an attempt to express America’s neutrality and independence from Britain. Also, the Louisiana purchase was made, settling tensions with the French.

Jefferson had a fairly impressive relationship with Congress. For one, it was ultimately this relationship which assisted his triumph over Aaron Burr (who would become Jefferson’s vice president in his first term) in the presidential election of 1800. The election ended in a tie between the two candidates, and Jefferson won by an electoral vote in Congress. As such, he was favored in Congress, with democrats having the majority representation during his presidency. Because of Jefferson's strength and influence in Congress, he was able to persuade them to pass most proposed policies. Because of Jefferson's ties to Congress, they sided with him on most matters, which can be considered good or bad. Good in the case of the prohibition of America's involvement in the national slave trade, and bad in the case of the Embargo act. Congress needed some serious convincing in order to repeal the Embargo act, a policy largely hated by American citizens because of its highly negative economic impact.

Jefferson’s policy which had the most positive outcome was the Louisiana purchase. The amount of land inherited by the United States as a result of this negotiation with the French became a major step for the union for centuries to come. It was known as the greatest real estate deal of the country of all time. This deal doubled the size of the United States, as well as opened up a good portion of unsettled land for westward expansion. This gigantic portion of North American land was purchased from France for $15 million, or approximately 4 cents per acre. The famed Lewis and Clark expedition was spurred as a result of this massive land purchase. This expedition is responsible for almost all of the land discovered and inhabited by the United States west of the Ohio River Valley. On the other hand, the action taken by the Jefferson administration which had the most negative outcome was the Embargo Act, which completely prohibited all trade and commerce with major European powers. Originally, the purpose of this law was to maintain American neutrality from the Napoleonic wars happening in Europe. Through this act, Jefferson hoped to avoid national humiliation and war, but, in the end, he got both. The ultimate result of this policy was a financial disaster. Americans could not export, and thus northeastern economy was completely throttled. Some historians claim that this policy, in a roundabout way, triggered the war of 1812 five years later. The peace-based ideals of Thomas Jefferson ended in a poor globalized decision for the country.

The Jefferson Administration obviously had its ups and downs, but through every decision and sacrifice, one of the major policies which affected many presidencies and many American lives long after Jefferson's death was his decision to outlaw the importation of African slaves. While this may seem like a small step when compared to other policies passed by the Jefferson administration (e.g. the Louisiana Purchase) it set a precedent for many generations to come, and it was one of the first major steps to abolishing slavery completely in the United States. The complete overthrow of slavery in the union would not occur for another 60 years, but until that time, advocates of a slavery-free nation would rejoice in the fact that Africans were no longer to be forcefully enslaved by this great new union. The ties were severed with the slavery, and the stage was set for later presidential administrations to finish the job.

In conclusion, the progression made over the span of a decade by the famed third president of the United States was clearly a product of good tidings. America's patriot of the early 19th century took many steps towards American liberty, shifted the context of the American dream, brought about the greatest step towards detachment from slavery for decades to come, and produced a new source of democratic ideals for which governments for the following centuries will reflect on with positive connotation. The country was definitely better off at the end of Jefferson's presidency then it was before he and his cabinet took control of the country. He settled many foreign disputes and promoted westward progression with his Louisiana purchase, something that would determine geographical roles in American culture for centuries to come. Above all, his theories on life, liberty, and equality are what made him the democratic mastermind of the early 19th century that he was.

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