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**__Thomas Jefferson__** 3rd President of the United States of America Born: April 13,1743 in Albermarle County, Virginia Died; July 4, 1826 at Monticello in Virginia Political Party: Democratic-Republican Terms of Presidency: 1801-1805, 1805-1809 (2 terms) Vice President: Aaron Burr (1801-1805), George Clinton (1805-1809) **__Grade:__** Thomas Jefferson is by far one of the most influential presidents of American history. His accomplishments and failures have come to shape the future of the United States in some way. Thomas Jefferson was well qualified, achieved a majority of his goals for America, but also had some setbacks. For these reasons, as the 3rd president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson rightfully deserves a B- for his noteworthy wins and his absolute loses. **__Background:__** Thomas Jefferson was most definitely very well qualified to become the president of the United States. Studying law at the College of William & Mary, Jefferson became a lawyer in Virginia; Jefferson was said to be a man of few words, however every word was always pronounced with great wisdom. Jefferson was also a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress, where in 1776, he was elected to write the Declaration of Independence, which is arguably one of the most significant documents in American history. After leaving congress, Jefferson returned to his home where he served in legislature as governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. Jefferson then succeeded Benjamin Franklin as minister to France in 1785. Several years later, Jefferson accepted the position as Secretary of State for George Washington. After serving as Secretary of State, Jefferson ran for president with the Democratic-Republicans, but lost to John Adams in 1796, subsequently making Jefferson vice president. Four years later, Jefferson ran for president once again against John Adams, this time defeating Adams for presidential office, where Jefferson served two, four-year terms. **__Goals (First Term):__** As president Jefferson set different goals that he wanted to accomplish. In his first inaugural address, Jefferson first and foremost Jefferson wanted to unite the states by one common good because of the strain the American Revolution had on American citizens. Jefferson then recognizes the minority in his inaugural address by reaffirming the minority that they also had the rights, just as the majority, no matter social class. Another goal of Jefferson’s was to adopt republican ideas by giving more power to the people and lessen the power of the central government. Jefferson also reminded citizens of why the first settlers came to America and they had to focus on unity regardless of political opinion. Finally, Jefferson had the goal of gaining more land, but at the same time, still able to keep peace between the United States and foreign countries.

**__First Term (1801-1805):__** The campaign for president was between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. After the popular vote, Jefferson and Burr were tied in votes. A flaw in the election system brought upon new ideas. So, when Jefferson was chosen to be president he approved the 12th Amendment on June 15, 1804. This Amendment produced the Electoral College, which the popular vote determines how many Electoral College votes a candidate receives During Jefferson’s first term as president, he was most notable for the purchase of the Louisiana Territory, also known as the Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase was a treaty signed between the United States and France on April 30, 1803. This $15 million agreement was not only a compensation for the help of France to the American colonies, but it also was a major territory gain for America. The Louisiana Purchase, gave land extending from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, doubling the size of the United States. This momentous land gain was also significant because it opened free navigation of the Mississippi River. Yet, “the Constitution did not specifically empower the federal government to acquire new territory by treaty” (1803). But, just as Jefferson concluded and the Senate agreed to, that the profit of the Louisiana Purchase very much outweighed the violation against the Constitution. On the other hand, United States citizens believed that the addition of the vast land was very risky. For, unity between the states had not yet been achieved and citizens were not very uncomfortable adding this lad when there were still issues that with the original states. Before gaining the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson supported the expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The voyage of Lewis and Clark was set by Jefferson to find a route across North America to the Pacific Ocean and to also explore the unfamiliar western land. The success of this exploration made Jefferson even more prideful in the Louisiana Purchase. **__Congress and Jefferson (First Term):__** Jefferson’s relationship with Congress was brilliant. Together, they were able to extend America with the Louisiana Purchase, which also paid off a debt to the French, who was an important ally during the American Revolution. They also were able to achieve the goal of giving more power to the people by passing different laws to ensure this goal to happen, which gave more power to the freedoms of speech and press. Another accomplishment of Jefferson and Congress would be a major pay off of the United States national debt. Congress and Jefferson were able to interact so well considering Congress was mostly made up of Democratic-Republicans and Anti-federalists. **__Goals (Second Term):__** After serving his first term as president Jefferson was reelected into office. In his second inaugural address, Jefferson once more had the admiration for unity between the states. But more importantly, Jefferson defended the decision of the Louisiana Purchase. Jefferson reminded citizens of the importance of being able to safely travel the Mississippi River and they would no longer have to fear bordering communities. **__Second Term (1805-1809):__** While serving his second term as president Jefferson sign the Embargo Act passed by Congress in 1807. The act called for a cease of all trade between the United States and foreign countries. By passing this act, Jefferson and Congress wanted to “send a message to the powers in Europe, seeing to it that until the Orders in Council and Continental System were rescinded they would no longer have a loyal customer in America” (McPhee). This act seemed as though it would be beneficial to America, instead the United States suffered. Shipping items within the country became extremely expensive and European powers came to realize that they no longer needed to depend on American goods. The Embargo Act was later lifted and replaced after Jefferson left office. Despite the failure of the Embargo Act, Jefferson became the first president to address slaves in America. Although Jefferson did not abolish slavery altogether, he did however pass a law that took affect on January 1, 1808. The law stopped all importation of slaves into America. Jefferson did not prohibit slavery altogether because he knew just how important slaves were to the United States economy. **__Congress and Jefferson (Second Term):__** The relationship between Jefferson and Congress during his second term as president was completely different compared to his first term. Troubles in Congress with the Anti-Federalists, yet even more strenuous Aaron Burr, Jefferson’s first vice president, and John Randolph created a revolt in western America, where they planned to rebel against the United States and create a new nation in the western frontier. But, Jefferson quickly stopped the rebellion and both Burr and Randolph were charged with treason. **__Influence on the Future:__** Thomas Jefferson had a major impact on the United States especially considering the pairing of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Louisiana Purchase. Together these historical happenings greatly expanded the Union, doubling in size, and today this territory contains 15 states. Not only did Jefferson expand the Union, but he was also the first president to recognize slavery in America. Remembering the benefits of slavery and not so much thinking about the perspective of slaves themselves, Jefferson prohibited the importation of slaves into the United States. These accomplishments set the stage for other presidents to expand the United States borders and act upon the controversy of slavery. Another important influence of the future of the United States would be the adoption of the 12th Amendment, giving birth to the Electoral College. **__Conclusion:__** In my opinion, when speaking about the government, the United States was most definitely stronger. For Jefferson was able to new dreams for America by passing the law that stopped slave importation, approving the 12th Amendment, and buying the Louisiana Purchase. These events all helped to shape the future of America, as we know it today. However, the Embargo Act, Jefferson’s relationship with Congress, and even the law against slavery importation, all put an extremely major strain on America. From the economic decline that the Embargo Act and the law against slavery caused were very dramatic, putting the United States in debt and causing citizens to start smuggling goods and slaves, to the personal attacks against the United States by members of Congress, Burr and Randolph. For these reasons I believe that as the 3rd President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson lawfully deserves a B-.

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