Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13th, 1743 in Shadwell, which is now known as Albemarle County, Virginia. Jefferson led a very full life with the foresight of very few in his times. He was the third President of the United States and had much more in his list of accomplishments, although this was his greatest achievement. He served as Governor of Virginia, US Minister to France, Secretary of State under George Washington, Vice President of the United States, under John Adams. He was the author of the Declaration of American Independence of the State of Virginia for freedom of religion and he was father of the University of Virginia.
Jefferson was born to a prominent family, his mother Jane Randolph Jefferson came from one of the first families of Virginia. His father Peter Jefferson wasn't lacking either, he was a wealthy landowner. This did not seem to matter much to Thomas.
The Early Years,
Jefferson attended the William and Mary College between 1760 and 1762. After leaving college he studied law with George Wythe. In 1769 he started what would lead to six years of service as a representative in Virginia's House of Burgesses. In 1770 he started the construction of Monticello, on the land that he had inherited from his father. This mansion took two years to finish; every detail was designed by him. Only part of the Mansion was ready when Thomas decided to marry Martha Wayles Skelton. The wedding took place on January 1st, 1772. Thomas had Martha had six children, with only two of them surviving to adulthood.
A Famous Man,
It would be in 1774 that Jefferson's reputation would reach further than Virginia. This was partly due to a political pamphlet that he had written which was called "A Summary View of the Rights of British America". This pamphlet was based on the natural rights theory.
The Declaration of Independence,
On June 11th, 1776 Thomas Jefferson was appointed to get together a committee of five, to prepare for the Declaration of Independence. The initial draft that was submitted was amended by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams and was altered stylistically and substantively by Congress but Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas had written a reference to the voluntary allegiance to the colonists in the original declaration but that was omitted. There was also another clause that was omitted and that referred to the monarchy, for imposing slavery upon America. The pamphlet of A Summary View had a striking resemblance to the Declaration of Independence.
It was between 1776 to 1779 Jefferson served in the House of Delegates. He was joined by his old law teacher George Wythe and James Madison and George Mason. Jefferson brought many bills to Congress which was all dismissed at first but with repeated submissions, in 1776, he succeeded in abolition of entail. In 1785 his proposal to abolish primogeniture became law. Besides this victory Jefferson was instrumental in revising the criminal code. In 1779, there was turmoil in Virginia for eight years, due to a bill Jefferson introduced on religious liberties. This bill was significant in that no other state gave free religious liberty at the time. Some Virginians regarded this as an attack on Christianity. This bill didn't pass until 1786 but not by Jefferson it was the doing of James Madison.
Governor of Viginia,
In1779 Jefferson was elected Governor of Virginia. This position did not come easily has he was attacked with criticism by his political enemies. The war was on and Jefferson was blamed for his failure to provide adequate defense for Richmond. Jefferson fled the Capital during the moment of crisis but in June 1781 he retired from his govern ship and there was an inquiry into the Richmond incident. Jefferson was exonerated and was unanimously voted an appreciation for his conduct during his actions 1780 to 1781.
Notes on the Establishment of a Money Unit,
1774 brought tragedy to Jefferson when he lost his wife. She died on September 6th, 1782. The next year found him back seated in Congress once again. In April of 1774 he submitted Notes on the Establishment of a Money Unit and of the coinage for the United States, with the suggestion that they use the decimal system. The report led to the start of the use of the dollar in 1792. They were using pounds up to that point.
Most Progressive Colonial Policy,
Jefferson submitted reports so liberal and farsighted, that when they were enacted, they became the most progressive colonial policy of any nation. In 1794, he proposed that western territories should be permitted to join the 13 states of the Union, as full partners, when they had grown sufficiently to do so. He also proposed that they should be self governing. Another proposal of Jefferson's ,was that slavery should be excluded from all western territories, after 1800.in 1784, the provision was narrowly defeated, although Congress approved the ordinance it was it was never put in effect but some of the Ordinance that he proposed was passed 1787, which established the Northern Territories, where slavery was prohibited.
Commissioneoner to Paris,
From 1774 to 1789 Jefferson was in Paris, France. He was sent there as a commissioner to help negotiate commercial treaties but in 1785 he took Benjamin Franklin's place as Minister to France. He found that France and other countries were indifferent to what was going on in the United States and did not have interest in its democracy. While he was away Jefferson followed the changes that were taking place back home.
Secretary of State,
Jefferson left Paris on September 26th, 1789 and expected to return to his old job back home but he was appointed as Secretary of State in George Washington's first administration. Jefferson did not want this position and had many battles with a man called George Hamilton due to it. Jefferson thought that Hamilton's ideas were monarchist ideals. After trying to resign from this position, that was objected each time by George Washington, he finally bowed out of the position on December 31st, 1793.
Jefferson runs for President,
His retirement lasted for three years and when Washington did not run in 1796 Jefferson, although reluctant, ran for Presidency. He was relieved when John Adams beat him in a narrow victory. He then became vice president, under the system that was in effect at that time. He thought he could work better with Adams but soon found out this would not happen. Relations with France deteriorated and in 1798 the Quasi-War began. The freedom of America was threatened by the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798. Jefferson decided the time had come to run for the presidency.
Jefferson was delayed in the run for presidency by Aaron Burr but Hamilton's influence helped Jefferson to prevail. When Jefferson became president he reduced internal taxes, cut the military budget, he retracted the Alien and Sedition Act and plans were made to get rid of the public debt. Jefferson ruled with simplicity and frugalness. It was in 1803, Jefferson caped his achievements off with the Louisiana Purchase. In the election of 1804 Jefferson took every state but two, which were Connecticut and Delaware.
Jefferson's Second Administration,
Jefferson's second administration was without flare. He had a few minor successes which were the favorable settlement of the Tripoli an War that went from 1801 to 1805, the Lewis and Clarke expedition and the capture and arrest of Aaron Burr who was engaged in a conspiracy of trying to launch an invasion of Spanish held Mexico or trying to establish an independent republic in Louisiana. History doesn't tell us exactly what reason it was that led to his arrest. Burr was acquitted. On December 22nd, 1807 the Embargo Act was passed, which prohibited all exports and most imports. This was meant to sway the British and the French to recognize America's rights. In 1809 Jefferson signed the act repealing the embargo just before he retired from the presidency.
Jefferson Retires,
The final years of Jefferson's life were spent conceiving, planning and designing the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. This would be the last of three of the contributions Jefferson would make that he wanted to be remembered for. He had made up a trilogy of causes, freedom from Britain, freedom of conscience and freedom maintained through education. Thomas Jefferson died on July 4th, 1826. It was the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson died at his home, Monticello.
Summary,
This great man that had the foresight to see what would make a great country put his thoughts to actions all through his life. He had the foresight to free America from Britain and to help her stand on her own. We can only be proud that it was America that benefited from these ideals. He helped to shape this great country into what it has become.