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Thomas Jefferson

Born: April 13, 1743 in Goochland county, Virginia Died: July 4 1826 at Monticello

Democratic-Republican party

Third president: from 1801 - 1809 (2 terms)

Vice presidents: Aaron Burr (1801-1805) George Clinton (1805-1809)

Thomas Jefferson accomplished many things during his presidency. He advocated and increased state's rights, he made the louisiana purchase, rid the country of unliked taxes, and introduced a neutrality ideal when dealing with the Napoleanic wars. Although he added so much to America, he also caused some problems causing him to only receive an A- for his presidency.

Thomas Jefferson was against federalism, and therefore pushed for states rights. In his inaugural speech, he wanted to create a disciplined military, a strong economy, pay off debts, and have freedom of religion and of the press. At this time the government was in great debt. During his first term in office, Jefferson got rid of the unpopular whiskey tax, but still managed to reduce the country's debt by one third. This was accomplished through cutting the spending on the navy and army, as well as lowering the amount of government employees to help lower the budget. This act also helped his push for states rights, as it created a more minimalized central government. In 1803 Thomas Jefferson, made the Louisiana purchase, which gave Americans approximately 828,000 square miles west of the Mississippi river. He also advocated the Idea of American neutrality in foreign wars, as the Napoleanic wars were happening at the time. However, his resolution for enforcing neutrality, the embargo act of 1807, did not succeed. This act was to not allow American ships to enter foreign ports or for foreign ships to dock in American ports, which hurt the economy, lowering Jefferson's grade. This act was removed in 1809 when the non-intercourse act was established. Jefferson also decided not to pay the bribes that were used to keep the Barbary pirates away from American vessels, causing the Barbary wars from 1803 to June 4 1805 when a treaty was made.

One of the most important contributions of Thomas jefferson's presidency is work with budgeting the government. He was able to significantly reduce the government's substantial debt, while still getting rid of unwanted taxes and accomplishing goals. He was able to work more towards state's right through this budgeting and add an incredible amount of land to the country. His work has and will continue to influence other administrations. His advocation of a separation between church and state is a policy in effect today, as well as freedom of religion and of the press. His ideas of neutrality isn foreign wars was also adopted by other presidents to protect the country. Although, like all presidents, he made mistakes, he still left the country off better then when he started his presidency. He added an enormous tract of land to the country, reduced it's debt, and kept it out of the wars between France and Great Britain.