Changes

'''Thomas Jefferson''' (1743-1826) was the third president of the United States, from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the [[Declaration of Independence]] of 1776.<ref>Much of the Declaration of Independence was based on George Mason's [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]].</ref> Jefferson was also the first secretary of state (1789-1793), and founded the [[Jeffersonian Republicans]] in 1792. This party dominated U.S. politics for many years. Jefferson and the Republicans are closely associated with the view that the size and powers of the federal government should be strictly limited.<ref>"distrusted the federal government because he knew it would grow too large, become disconnected from the people, and be heir to the arrogance, insolence and prideful haughtiness that is the lot of the unrestrained ..." Pruden, [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/16/pruden-winning-the-war-against-civility/ Winning the war against ‘civility’] - Editorial in the ''[[Washington Times]]''</ref>

'''Thomas Jefferson''' (1743-1826) was the third president of the United States, from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the [[Declaration of Independence]] of 1776.<ref>Much of the Declaration of Independence was based on George Mason's [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]].</ref> Jefferson was also the first secretary of state (1789-1793), and founded the [[Jeffersonian Republicans]] in 1792. This party dominated U.S. politics for many years. Jefferson and the Republicans are closely associated with the view that the size and powers of the federal government should be strictly limited.<ref>"distrusted the federal government because he knew it would grow too large, become disconnected from the people, and be heir to the arrogance, insolence and prideful haughtiness that is the lot of the unrestrained ..." Pruden, [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/16/pruden-winning-the-war-against-civility/ Winning the war against ‘civility’] - Editorial in the ''[[Washington Times]]''</ref>

Jefferson was a friend of France and the French Revolution, but a bitter enemy of Britain. He was deeply disappointed when [[Napoleon]] ended the French Republic and declared himself emperor in 1804. As president, Jefferson purchased the vast Louisiana Territory in 1803, but he was generally ineffective. During the Napoleanic Wars, both Britain and France violated American neutrality and attacked U.S. shipping. Jefferson responded by signing the [[Embargo of 1807]]. The embargo led to economic problems in the United States and was unpopular. It also failed in its purpose of forcing the British to repeal their "Orders in Council" and respect American neutrality. Just before Jefferson left office, the embargo was repealed and replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act. As Jefferson was not willing to submit to the Orders in Council, the failure of the embargo made war with Britain the logical next step. However, Federalist gains in the 1808 election suggested that public opinion was not yet ready for this move.

Jefferson was a friend of France and the French Revolution, but a bitter enemy of Britain. He was deeply disappointed when [[Napoleon]] ended the French Republic and declared himself emperor in 1804. As president, Jefferson purchased the vast Louisiana Territory in 1803, but he was generally ineffective. During the Napoleonic Wars, both Britain and France violated American neutrality and attacked U.S. shipping. Jefferson responded by signing the [[Embargo of 1807]]. The embargo led to economic problems in the United States and was unpopular. It also failed in its purpose of forcing the British to repeal their "Orders in Council" and respect American neutrality. Just before Jefferson left office, the embargo was repealed and replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act. As Jefferson was not willing to submit to the Orders in Council, the failure of the embargo made war with Britain the logical next step. However, Federalist gains in the 1808 election suggested that public opinion was not yet ready for this move.

James Madison, Jefferson's handpicked successor as president, was a loyal follower. After his retirement to Monticello in 1809, Jefferson wrote numerous letters and continued to play a major role in policymaking. Although Jefferson had long pressed for war with Britain, he had neglected the military. When Congress finally declared war in 1812, the country was tragically unprepared.

James Madison, Jefferson's handpicked successor as president, was a loyal follower. After his retirement to Monticello in 1809, Jefferson wrote numerous letters and continued to play a major role in policymaking. Although Jefferson had long pressed for war with Britain, he had neglected the military. When Congress finally declared war in 1812, the country was tragically unprepared.

His laws on inheritance ended the practice of primogeniture, whereby the eldest son inherited the entire estate, so as to spread out wealth more evenly and open up opportunities for more young men.

His laws on inheritance ended the practice of primogeniture, whereby the eldest son inherited the entire estate, so as to spread out wealth more evenly and open up opportunities for more young men.

In 1779 he was elected to succeed [[Patrick Henry]] as governor of Virginia for a one year term. Everything went wrong. British invasions by land and sea, Indian raids in the west, fiscal shortfalls, militia problems, profiteering, personal rivalries, and the shift of the main theater of war to Virginia created more challenges than he could solve.  Re-elected in 1780, he saw the main British army under Cornwallis enter from the South in 1781; the Continental Army commander, General Von Steuben, was outmaneuvered. Jefferson quit office before his successor was named and the legislature had fled; he was almost captured when the British raided Monticello looking for him.  Fortunately Washington arrived with the American and French armies and trapped Cornwallis at Yorktown, where the entire British army surrendered. Later the legislature investigated his administration and vindicated him, but Jefferson was embarrassed.  Jefferson was an efficient, systematic, indefatigable administrator with a knack for getting men to work together smoothly, but his militia could not match the British army. He coped with these problems with a degree of success or failure that remains controversial among scholars.<ref>Peterson, ''Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation'' (1975) ch. 4</ref>  

In 1779 he was elected to succeed [[Patrick Henry]] as governor of Virginia for a one-year term. Everything went wrong. British invasions by land and sea, Indian raids in the west, fiscal shortfalls, militia problems, profiteering, personal rivalries, and the shift of the main theater of war to Virginia created more challenges than he could solve.  Re-elected in 1780, he saw the main British army under Cornwallis enter from the South in 1781; the Continental Army commander, General Von Steuben, was outmaneuvered. Jefferson quit office before his successor was named and the legislature had fled; he was almost captured when the British raided Monticello looking for him.  Fortunately Washington arrived with the American and French armies and trapped Cornwallis at Yorktown, where the entire British army surrendered. Later the legislature investigated his administration and vindicated him, but Jefferson was embarrassed.  Jefferson was an efficient, systematic, indefatigable administrator with a knack for getting men to work together smoothly, but his militia could not match the British army. He coped with these problems with a degree of success or failure that remains controversial among scholars.<ref>Peterson, ''Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation'' (1975) ch. 4</ref>  

He suffered an irreparable loss when his beloved wife Martha died in 1782 and he gave up all idea of ever marrying again; they had three surviving daughters—Martha (1772–1836), Mary (1778–1804), and Lucy (1782–1784).

He suffered an irreparable loss when his beloved wife Martha died in 1782 and he gave up all idea of ever marrying again; they had three surviving daughters—Martha (1772–1836), Mary (1778–1804), and Lucy (1782–1784).

[[Image:University of Virginia.jpg|thumb|The Rotunda of the University of Virginia. It was designed by Thomas Jefferson.]]

[[Image:University of Virginia.jpg|thumb|The Rotunda of the University of Virginia. It was designed by Thomas Jefferson.]]

Jefferson was the founder of the University of Virginia and designer of ''his "academical village"''; he made the drawings for ''The Rotunda'' in 1819. Self-taught in architecture, read widely and studied the great structures of Europe firsthand. He , assisted [[Pierre L'Enfant]] in the design and layout of the new Federal City (Washington, D.C.) and designed the state capitol building in Richmond. Jefferson believed that "from architecture would flow education in taste, values, and ideals," and therefore constructed buildings that became ideas for America.<ref>[http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/jeff/jeffarch.html Jefferson and the Politics of Architecture]</ref>

Jefferson was the founder of the University of Virginia and designer of ''his "academical village"''; he made the drawings for ''The Rotunda'' in 1819. Self-taught in architecture, read widely and studied the great structures of Europe firsthand. He assisted [[Pierre L'Enfant]] in the design and layout of the new Federal City (Washington, D.C.) and designed the state capitol building in Richmond. Jefferson believed that "from architecture would flow education in taste, values, and ideals," and therefore constructed buildings that became ideas for America.<ref>[http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/jeff/jeffarch.html Jefferson and the Politics of Architecture]</ref>

   

   

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

*Speaking of great calamities, "There is yet one greater, submission to a government of unlimited powers." <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=InAsAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA351&dq=submission+to+a+government+of+unlimited+powers.+Jefferson&ei=8CQrSqarK6CIzQTnpfyyBw The Writings of Thomas Jefferson : 1816-1826.‎ - Page 351] by Thomas Jefferson, Paul Leicester Ford</ref>

*Speaking of great calamities, "There is yet one greater, submission to a government of unlimited powers." <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=InAsAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA351&dq=submission+to+a+government+of+unlimited+powers.+Jefferson&ei=8CQrSqarK6CIzQTnpfyyBw The Writings of Thomas Jefferson : 1816-1826.‎ - Page 351] by Thomas Jefferson, Paul Leicester Ford</ref>

*"That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves." <ref name="Thomas">[http://books.google.com/books?id=HgM4tztnJFcC&pg=PA240&dq=government+big+enough+to+give+you+everything&ei=hhc5SoekCKeQyASNj4iLAw Civiliazation's quotes P.240] by Richard Alan Krieger</ref>

*"That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves." <ref name="Thomas">[http://books.google.com/books?id=HgM4tztnJFcC&pg=PA240&dq=government+big+enough+to+give+you+everything&ei=hhc5SoekCKeQyASNj4iLAw Civiliazation's quotes P.240] by Richard Alan Krieger</ref>

*"Government big enough to give you everything you need is government big enough to take away everything you have."<ref name="Thomas">[http://books.google.com/books?id=HgM4tztnJFcC&pg=PA240&dq=government+big+enough+to+give+you+everything&ei=hhc5SoekCKeQyASNj4iLAw Civiliazation's quotes P.240] by Richard Alan Krieger]</ref>

*"Government big enough to give you everything you need is government big enough to take away everything you have."<ref name="Thomas">[http://books.google.com/books?id=HgM4tztnJFcC&pg=PA240&dq=government+big+enough+to+give+you+everything&ei=hhc5SoekCKeQyASNj4iLAw Civiliazation's quotes P.240] by Richard Alan Krieger</ref>

*In a letter to Philips Mazzei, "Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty." <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=W5MfcSfA_eUC&pg=PA147&dq=Timid+men+prefer+the+calm+of+despotism+to+the+tempestuous+sea+of+liberty.&ei=2x1ESu6iAZSuzQTJ5NDUDw Jefferson's second revolution P.147]  By Susan Dunn</ref>

*In a letter to Philips Mazzei, "Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty." <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=W5MfcSfA_eUC&pg=PA147&dq=Timid+men+prefer+the+calm+of+despotism+to+the+tempestuous+sea+of+liberty.&ei=2x1ESu6iAZSuzQTJ5NDUDw Jefferson's second revolution P.147]  By Susan Dunn</ref>

*"Let our countrymen know that the people alone can protect us against these evils of misgovernment." <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=Ak6TAAAAIAAJ&q=Let+our+countrymen+know+that+the+people+alone+can+protect+us+against+these+evils+of+misgovernment.&dq=Let+our+countrymen+know+that+the+people+alone+can+protect+us+against+these+evils+of+misgovernment.&ei=5OlOSqq4LoT0yAS8i8DeAg Thomas Jefferson, world citizen- Page 71] by Elbert Duncan Thomas</ref>

*"Let our countrymen know that the people alone can protect us against these evils of misgovernment." <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=Ak6TAAAAIAAJ&q=Let+our+countrymen+know+that+the+people+alone+can+protect+us+against+these+evils+of+misgovernment.&dq=Let+our+countrymen+know+that+the+people+alone+can+protect+us+against+these+evils+of+misgovernment.&ei=5OlOSqq4LoT0yAS8i8DeAg Thomas Jefferson, world citizen- Page 71] by Elbert Duncan Thomas</ref>

** Jefferson did write in 1787: "Some are whigs, liberals, democrats, call them what you please. Others are tories, serviles, aristocrats, &c. The latter fear the people, and wish to transfer all power to the higher classes of society; the former consider the people as the safest depository of power in the last resort; they cherish them therefore, and wish to leave in them all the powers to the exercise of which they are competent."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

** Jefferson did write in 1787: "Some are whigs, liberals, democrats, call them what you please. Others are tories, serviles, aristocrats, &c. The latter fear the people, and wish to transfer all power to the higher classes of society; the former consider the people as the safest depository of power in the last resort; they cherish them therefore, and wish to leave in them all the powers to the exercise of which they are competent."<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

==Jefferson - Jackson Dinners==

==Jefferson - Jackson Dinners==

The United States Democratic Party claims Jefferson and [[Andrew Jackson]] as two of its key founding members.  Although this claim is a bit of a stretch, for decades the Democrats have honored these two presidents by holding fund-raising events called "Jefferson-Jackson Dinners."  Recently, in an act of extreme "political correctness", activists have demanded that these events be renamed on the grounds that Jefferson held slaves and Jackson mistreated native Americans.  Many units of the Democratic Party have given into these arguments and are denouncing and dishonoring two of what most Americans view as great Presidents.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/us/jefferson-jackson-dinner-will-be-renamed.html|title=Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Will Be Renamed|date=August 8, 2015|work=New York Times|accessdate=April 19, 2016|first=Ashley|last=Southhall}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2015/11/16/colorado-democratic-party-considers-renaming-annual-jefferson-jackson-dinner/123835/|title=Colorado Democrats consider renaming Jefferson Jackson dinner|work=The Denver Post|first=John|last= Frank|date=November 16, 2015|accessdate=April 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=

The United States Democratic Party claims Jefferson and [[Andrew Jackson]] as two of its key founding members.  Although this claim is a bit of a stretch, for decades the Democrats have honored these two presidents by holding fund-raising events called "Jefferson-Jackson Dinners."  Recently, in an act of extreme "political correctness", activists have demanded that these events be renamed on the grounds that Jefferson held slaves and Jackson mistreated Native Americans.  Many units of the Democratic Party have given into these arguments and are denouncing and dishonoring two of what most Americans view as great Presidents.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/us/jefferson-jackson-dinner-will-be-renamed.html|title=Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Will Be Renamed|date=August 8, 2015|work=New York Times|accessdate=April 19, 2016|first=Ashley|last=Southhall}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2015/11/16/colorado-democratic-party-considers-renaming-annual-jefferson-jackson-dinner/123835/|title=Colorado Democrats consider renaming Jefferson Jackson dinner|work=The Denver Post|first=John|last= Frank|date=November 16, 2015|accessdate=April 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/07/jefferson_jackson_renamed_loui.html|title=As state Democratic parties rename their Jefferson-Jackson dinners, will Louisiana change 'J-J?'|work=The Times Picayune|first=Kevin |last=Litten|date= July 23, 2015|accessdate=April 21, 2016}}</ref>

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/07/jefferson_jackson_renamed_loui.html|title=As state Democratic parties rename their Jefferson-Jackson dinners, will Louisiana change 'J-J?'|work=The Times Picayune|first=Kevin |last=Litten|date= July 23, 2015|accessdate=April 21, 2016}}</ref>