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 laying 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 laying 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> |