Thomas Jefferson :: essays research papers

THOMAS JEFFERSONThomas Jefferson (1743-1826), 3d death chair OF THE UNITED STATES. As the author of the Declaration of Independence andthe Virginia Statute for spiritual Freedom, he is probably the most conspicuous champion of semipolitical and spiritual freedom in his countryshistory. He voiced the aspirations of the new nation in matchless phrase, and one may doubt if any other American has been so oftenquoted. As a public official--legislator, diplomat, and executive--he served the province and commonwealth of Virginia and the youngAmerican republic almost 40 years.While his go as a Revolutionary patriot have beenhonored by his countrymen with nevertheless slight dissent, his later and more controversialpolitical activities have been diversely interpreted. Believing that the government was not being conducted in the spirit of 1776, he turnedagainst the administration in WASHINGTONs second term and remained in ambition during the presidency of John ADAMS.Jefferson, who was president from 1801 to 1809, was the acknowledged head of his political fellowship, and his resource to the highest officehas been interpreted as a vindication of the right of political opposition. His ELECTION checked in the United States the tide of politicalchemical reaction that was sweeping the Western world, and it furthered the development of political democracy. Throughout his life he seek todo that, though the term he generally use was republicanism.Opinions differ about his conduct of foreign affairs as president. He acquired the vast province of Louisiana and maintained neutrality in aworld of war, but his policies failed to safeguard neutral rights at sea and impose hardships at home. As a result, his administrationreached its nadir as it ended. Until his lead year as president he exercised leadership over his party that was to be matched by no other19th century president, and he enjoyed remarkable popularity. He was rightly hailed as the "Man of the People,&qu ot because he sought toconduct the government in the popular matter to, rather than in the interest of any privileged group, and, insofar as possible, in accordancewith the peoples will.He was a tall and vigorous man, not particularly impressive in person but amiable, once his original stiffness wore off. He was habituallytactful and notably respectful of the opinions and personalities of others, though he had slight gross profit margin of those he believed unfaithful to