Thomas Jefferson :: essays research papers

THOMAS JEFFERSONThomas Jefferson (1743-1826), 3d PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. As the actor of the Declaration of Independence andthe Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, he is probably the most conspicuous champion of political and spiritual freedom in his countryshistory. He verbalize the aspirations of the new nation in matchless phrase, and one may doubt if any other American has been so oftenquoted. As a humans official--legislator, diplomat, and executive--he served the province and commonwealth of Virginia and the youngAmerican republic almost 40 years.While his services as a Revolutionary patriot have beenhonored by his countrymen with only slight dissent, his later and more controversialpolitical activities have been variously interpreted. Believing that the government was not being suffered in the spirit of 1776, he turnedagainst the administration in WASHINGTONs second term and remained in opposition during the presidency of John ADAMS.Jefferson, who was presiden t from 1801 to 1809, was the acknowledged head of his political party, and his election to the highest situationhas been interpreted as a vindication of the right of political opposition. His ELECTION checked in the United States the tide of politicalreaction that was sweeping the horse opera world, and it furthered the development of political democracy. Throughout his life he sought todo that, though the term he generally used was republicanism.Opinions differ about his conduct of foreign affairs as president. He acquired the vast province of Louisiana and maintained impersonality in aworld of war, but his policies failed to safeguard neutral rights at sea and imposed hardships at home. As a result, his administrationreached its nadir as it ended. Until his last year as president he exercised leading over his party that was to be matched by no other19th century president, and he enjoyed remarkable popularity. He was rightly hailed as the "Man of the People," because he sought toconduct the government in the popular interest, rather than in the interest of any privileged group, and, insofar as possible, in accordancewith the peoples will.He was a tall and vigorous man, not particularly impressive in person but amiable, once his original stiffness wore off. He was habitually tactful and notably respectful of the opinions and personalities of others, though he had slight tolerance of those he believed unfaithful to