Nicolette+K.+-+TJ+-+SP10



Thomas Jefferson Born: April 13 (April 2 Old Style) 1743 Died: July 4, 1826 Political Party: Democratic-Republican Date of Term: March 4, 1801- March 4, 1809 (two terms) Vice Presidents: First Term- Aaron Burr Second Term- George Clinton

Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States, brought the Revolution of 1800 to the United States since the country had the first Democratic-Republican. For his two terms, he deserves a B+. Thomas Jefferson handled foreign issues well, acquired a lot of land, and made good laws during his presidency.

When Thomas Jefferson became a president, he wanted to do away from the bad Alien and Sedation Acts. He set out to demolish the offensive laws given by Federalists. Jefferson got the residency requirement for naturalization back to a fair five years and taxes were repealed. The Judiciary Act of 1802, a last minute change of the federal court system by previous president John Adams was abolished. He took away the unfair laws of the Federalists, but he still listened to their opinions. This made him mostly on good terms with all sides of congress.

One of the most important achievements of Thomas Jefferson and his administration was the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Jefferson bought the area between the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains for fifteen million dollars, three cents an acre. Napoleon of France was in need of money to wage war with Britain and surprised America with this vast area of land. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of America.

Thomas Jefferson also was able to handle foreign issues well. The Tripolitan War was caused by pirates who looted seamen of nations who refused to pay tribute to them. Jefferson decided to buy protection against these pirates instead of going to war with them. However, in May 1801, Tripoli demanded more money from the US. When Jefferson refused, Tripoli decided to go to war with America. Thomas Jefferson sent almost every ship to that area, and the war turned against the pirates and Tripoli. In 1805, Tripoli agreed to end their demands for an annual tribute. Thomas Jefferson agreed to pay tribute until 1815.

However, Thomas Jefferson’s terms in office were not all perfect. During the Napoleonic Wars, the United States was attacked by both Britain and France, seizing and attacking US ships going for each other’s ports. Thomas Jefferson then signed the Embargo Act, stating no American ship was to sail to foreign ports. President Jefferson hoped that this would hurt the European powers and they would agree to the neutrality of American shipping. However, he was wrong. Britain and France continued to prevail while the Americans suffered. The economy went bad and people were suddenly unemployed and broke. The Non-Intercourse Act was made later, partially lifting the Embargo act in 1809.

In conclusion, the presidency of Thomas Jefferson left the United States better off. Though he did create a bit of trouble with the Embargo Act, he got rid of unfair laws and created good ones, like getting rid of slave trade. He doubled the amount of land that America had with the Louisiana Purchase and handled issues with Tripoli well. This is why I believe Thomas Jefferson deserves a B+ in his presidency.

Degregorio, William A.. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents, Seventh Edition (Complete Book of Us Presidents)//. 7 ed. Fort Lee: Barricade Books, 2009. Print.