| − | '''Thomas Jefferson''' (April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826) was the author of perhaps the [[most influential phrases|most influential phrase]] ever: "all men are created equal." He wrote that as the genius behind the [[Declaration of Independence]].<ref>Portions of the Declaration of Independence -- but not its most famous phrase -- were based on [[George Mason]]'s [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]].</ref> Jefferson was also the leading opponent of [[judicial supremacy]], and a prolific inventor who guided the administration of the successful, unique [[America]]n [[patent]] system.<ref>https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/patents</ref> He ended the slave trade over opposition by some in [[The South|the South]], and he had the greatest influence of anyone on American architecture in [[D.C.]] | + | '''Thomas Jefferson''' (April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826) was the author of perhaps the [[most influential phrases|most influential phrase]] ever: "all men are created equal," which he inserted into the [[Declaration of Independence]].<ref>Portions of the Declaration of Independence -- but not its most famous phrase -- were based on [[George Mason]]'s [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]].</ref> Jefferson was also the leading opponent of [[judicial supremacy]], and a prolific inventor who guided the administration of the successful, unique [[America]]n [[patent]] system.<ref>https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/patents</ref> He ended the slave trade over opposition by some in [[The South|the South]], and he had the greatest influence of anyone on American architecture in [[D.C.]] |
| | Jefferson successfully led the "Revolution of 1800," which was the first peaceful transition of sovereign power among bitter rivals ever. He then served as the third president of the United States, from 1801 to 1809. Prior to that he had been the first secretary of state (1789-1793), and the founder of the [[Jeffersonian Republicans]] in 1792. His political party dominated [[U.S.]] politics for decades, and laid the foundation for the modern [[Republican Party]]. 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 successfully led the "Revolution of 1800," which was the first peaceful transition of sovereign power among bitter rivals ever. He then served as the third president of the United States, from 1801 to 1809. Prior to that he had been the first secretary of state (1789-1793), and the founder of the [[Jeffersonian Republicans]] in 1792. His political party dominated [[U.S.]] politics for decades, and laid the foundation for the modern [[Republican Party]]. 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 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 be unconstitutional.<ref>avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/bank-tj.asp</ref> Jefferson fought with [[Alexander Hamilton]] on these and other issues. | + | 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 be unconstitutional.<ref>avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/bank-tj.asp</ref> Jefferson fought with [[Alexander Hamilton]] on these and other issues. Like [[Benjamin Franklin]], Jefferson was also fond of [[chess]]. |
| | Jefferson preferred [[France]] over [[Britain]], and even lived in [[Paris]] for five years as a widower in the mid-1780s which kept him away from the [[Constitutional Convention]] in [[Philadelphia]] in 1787.<ref>Some claim, perhaps with [[globalist]] bias and citing little in support, that Jefferson's time in Paris was "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." [https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/paris]</ref> Subsequently, Jefferson was sympathetic to the [[French Revolution]] prior to, and to a certain extent during its 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 was not known to govern forcefully. 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 preferred [[France]] over [[Britain]], and even lived in [[Paris]] for five years as a widower in the mid-1780s which kept him away from the [[Constitutional Convention]] in [[Philadelphia]] in 1787.<ref>Some claim, perhaps with [[globalist]] bias and citing little in support, that Jefferson's time in Paris was "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." [https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/paris]</ref> Subsequently, Jefferson was sympathetic to the [[French Revolution]] prior to, and to a certain extent during its 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 was not known to govern forcefully. 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. |