Tom+-+TJ

Thomas Jefferson Birth Date: April 13th, 1743 Death Date: July 4th, 1826 Political Party: Democratic-Republican Date of Terms: 1801-1809 Two terms Vice President: Aaron Burr (1801-1805) George Clinton (1805-1809)

Overall I would give Thomas Jefferson a C+ for his two terms in office of the presidency. He did many things for the growing nation, one main thing was he gave it room to grow. The single most important thing that Jefferson did during his tenor at president, was acquire the Louisiana purchase. However good that may have been he also was ineffective when it came to his foreign dealings, and he policies on the constitution as a whole.

Initially one of Jefferson's main goals was to give the power from the federal government to the states. This went almost directly against everything that the constitution stood for. Thankfully for all future Americans he failed to dismantle the constitution. Another one of Jefferson's goals was to not add anything to debt, and once again a Jefferson fail means good things for future Americans. He failed because he opted to act and accept the $15 million charge for the area know as Louisiana, thus doubling the domain of America.

Jefferson had a relationship with congress that was fairly well. He had established weekly dinners with congress while they were in session. The majority party was in Jefferson's favor as well, and the only legislation passed worth mentioning is the Non-Importation act, the Embargo act, and the Non-Intercourse act, for all intents and purposes they are all variations of each other.

Jefferson's action that had the most positive outcome is undoubtedly the Louisiana Purchase. Yes this act further increased the massive amount of debt that America was in, but it also doubled the amount of land in the country. Jefferson took the necessary step towards expanding America, he made room for growth, and also started the exploration of the west. Jefferson's action that had the most negative outcome, would be the way he tried to deal with the Napoleonic wars, the wars resulted in the blockade of Atlantic and Caribbean ports. This greatly hindered American trade, in response Jefferson tried the Non-Importation act. This closed down American ports, this was in conflict with one of his original goals to not put America further into debt. Eventually turning into the Embargo act, and then later the Non-Intercourse act. Jefferson believed that the lack of American trade would force Britain and France to change there positions, however Jefferson forgot to take into account that the young American economy and trade impact was not big at all. He was unsuccessful in getting them to change there ways and he also contradicted his two main goals. His futile efforts to get France and Britain to change there ways only further stifled the economy, and to keep his new acts in effect he would have to use federal power, something he was also against.

Jefferson had many decisions that affected future presidents. Primarily Jefferson's outlook on the Napoleonic wars, and the way he treated the Britain and French trade restrictions. His actions evaded any chance that America had at remaining neutral. And eventually America was dragged into the affair, and would later come to be known as the war of 1812, something that James Madison would undoubtedly have to deal with. Also something Jefferson said had profound impacts "any projection of federal authority over the domestic policy of the state would be a violation of 'the spirit of '76'. This would later become the position of the confederacy in 1861.

I think that the country remained 'neutral off', although the country was not left in shambles, it was not raised up either. He did sufficient amounts of good for America, he also however did sufficient amounts of bad for the country, making his grade of average appropriate. He did not accomplish something truly great, but he was also not a complete failure.

WORKS CITED: http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/tj3.html http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9353715&page=9 http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9353715&page=9