Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (April 13 (April 2 O.S.), 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third (1801–1809) President of the United States, second (1797–1801) Vice President, first (1789–1795) United States Secretary of State, and an American statesman, ambassador to France, political philosopher, revolutionary, agriculturalist, horticulturist, land owner, architect, archaeologist, slaveowner, author, inventor, lawyer and founder of the University of Virginia.

Presidency

Jefferson's presidency, from 1801 to 1809, was the first to start and end in the White House; it was also the first Democratic-Republican presidency.

Related Topics:
1801 - 1809 - White House - Democratic-Republican

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Inauguration

Thomas Jefferson, powerful advocate of equality and liberty, gave his inaugural address on March 4, 1801 in Washington, DC. The principles of this address can mainly be categorized as unity and expansion, but more importantly unity. At the time of Jefferson?s inauguration, the country was very much divided, mainly politically among politicians, between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. The second president, John Adams, was the only Federalist president that the USA saw. Jefferson was the first Republican president. At this point in time it became very important to unify the country under common goals and ideas.

Related Topics:
Equality - Liberty - Inaugural address - March 4 - 1801 - Unity - Expansion - Federalists - Democratic-Republican - John Adams - USA

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution the idea that the majority couldn?t have all the power, to protect the rights of the minority, was very prominent. Jefferson largely restated these ideas in his inaugural address. He explained how unity was necessary for the imminent expansion America would encounter.

Related Topics:
United States Declaration of Independence - Constitution

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another one of his important points was that America needs to become strong in the eyes of foreign powers. He realized the tremendous implications of being looked down upon by the mighty eyes of mother England, as well as other countries. Not having good relations would limit much trade and stifle the economy?s growth, as well as make America a very weak political power.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The final point Jefferson brought up is that America?s citizens are not American from birth, but from sharing the same ideas. He said this would make America a great power. He also said that Americans were united in a benign religion, by this he is most likely talking about the identical morals of equality and liberty.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Events during his presidency

• Louisiana Purchase (1803)
• Creation of the Orleans Territory in 1804
• Marbury v. Madison (1803)
• Land Act of 1804
• Twelfth Amendment is ratified (1804)
• Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1806)
• Creation of the Louisiana Territory (later renamed the Missouri Territory) in 1805
• Tertium quids create a divide in the Republican Party (the Democratic-Republican Party_(United_States))
• Embargo Act of 1807, an attempt to force respect for U.S. neutrality by ending trade with the belligerents in the Napoleonic War
• Abolition of the external slave trade in 1808

Cabinet

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Supreme Court appointments

Jefferson appointed the following Justices to the Supreme Court of the United States:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• William Johnson - 1804
• Henry Brockholst Livingston - 1807
• Thomas Todd - 1807

States admitted to the Union

• Ohio (1803)