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'''Thomas Jefferson''' (1743-1826) was an inventor, primary author of the [[Declaration of Independence]], opponent of [[judicial supremacy]], and originator of the phrase "all men are created equal."<ref>Some of the Declaration of Independence -- but not its most famous phrase -- was based on [[George Mason]]'s [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]].</ref>  He was also the third president of the United States, from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the [[Declaration of Independence]] of 1776. 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, [https://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 an inventor, primary author of the [[Declaration of Independence]], opponent of [[judicial supremacy]], and originator of the phrase "all men are created equal."<ref>Some of the Declaration of Independence -- but not its most famous phrase -- was based on [[George Mason]]'s [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]].</ref>  He was also the third president of the United States, from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the [[Declaration of Independence]] of 1776. 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, [https://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 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.

Jefferson was a strong supporter of an agrarian lifestyle, and preserving the role of farming in our country as a way of life.  Jefferson strongly opposed the creation of a national bank by the federal government and felt that it would unconstitutional.<ref>avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/bank-tj.asp</ref>  Jefferson fought with [[Alexander Hamilton]] on these and other issues.

 

Jefferson preferred [[France]] over [[Britain]], and even lived in [[Paris]] for five years in the mid-1780s, which were "arguably the most memorable of his life. Paris—with its music, its architecture, its savants and salons, its learning and enlightenment, not to mention its elegant social life ... had worked its enchantments on this rigidly self-controlled Virginia gentleman, and had stimulated him to say and do and write remarkable things."<ref>https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/paris</ref>  Jefferson was initially sympathetic to the [[French Revolution]] prior it spinning into [[anarchism]] and [[atheism]]. 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.