Shea McTighe

Mrs Yanelli

World History

April 28th 2017

President Thomas Jefferson

Prior to becoming President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson faced challenges in

his personal and work life. These began being born with eight other siblings, into a wealthy

family in Shadwell, Virginia. At age nine, Jefferson began his formal studies, boarding with a

minister-teacher nine months out of the year. His father passed away at age fourteen, which

taught him the importance of being hard working and independent. He continued boarding

school until age sixteen, excelling in classical languages. In 1760, Jefferson enrolled at the

College of William and Mary, taking classes in science, mathematics, rhetoric, philosophy, and

literature (biography.com).

After his formal education receiving a law degree, he moved back home in 1767 to rejoin

his family and their estate and was elected into the Virginia House of Burgesses, which is the

local legislature. During this time, he also found a wife and married Martha and would end up

having a total of six children, only two surviving into adulthood: Martha and Mary.

During this time, professionally, he became a great supporter of American independence

from Great Britain. He involved himself politically into the spotlight and attended the Second

Continental Congress, which created the Continentals Army and appointed George Washington

as its commander-in-chief in 1775. However, the next year Jefferson held a very special position

in 1776, which was being selected one of five men and drafting the Declaration of Independence;
it took the committee 17 days to draft out the official document we still use today (history.com).

This was a key moment for Jefferson and reflects the amount of work he did with Congress.

With this experience, Virginia elected Jefferson as the states second governor in 1779.

He held that position, then moved to lead the Virginia delegation to the Confederation Congress

and, then, in 1785, became the U.S. minister to France. After five years in Paris, he returned to

America and became Americas Secretary of State during George Washingtons presidency.

When Adams was elected President, Jefferson served as his Vice President. The Americans liked

him in the public eye and made it evident when he was slated as the third President of the United

States, preceding Adams, on March 1st 1801.

He was fortunate to become President because Jefferson went into the campaign knowing

the Americans did not like Adams choice of Alien and Sedition Acts, which gave them a direct

tax. They also did not like Federalist military preparations and the use of federal troops to crush a

minor tax rebellion. Thus, Jefferson gained quick and vast support for his opposition to Adams

policies.

During election time, the count went to the House of Representatives because the

electoral and popular votes could not be decided enough (archives.gov). Jefferson collected 10

state delegator votes, while 4 voted for his opponent, Aaron Burr and 2 made no choice. It was a

long event but Jefferson came out on top, in the end. The second term was seamless for her

against running mate Charles Pinckney.

After election, Jefferson maintained an open presidency with the people because he knew

that is what they wanted, and did not get from prior president Adams. His helpful administration

included Burr in the first term, George Clinton in his second term, well-known James Madison
was the Secretary of State, Levi Lincoln, John Breckinridge and Caesar Rodney were the three

attorney generals during his time, as well (millercenter.org).

Thomas Jefferson remained successful as a two-term president because of his

steadfastness dealing with foreign affairs. When Spain turned over Louisiana in 1800, he created

the Louisiana Purchase, which ultimately led to westward expansion for our country

(notablebiographies.org).

As for the economy during Jeffersons presidency, he had an interesting approach with

banking. During his time as President, banking was controlled by the states and the value of

paper currency and banknotes varied greatly over stateliness (classrooms.synonyms.com).

Jefferson did not feel the need for a central bank and thus, the economy was torn during this era.

However, the economy did well expanding westward and building industrially, factories,

railroads and steam engines. Due to the lack of centralized banking, the economy did roller-

coaster between booming and declining.

Likewise, with his banking, Jefferson pushed for individual states rights over national

rights. Domestically, with this mindset, he was able to cut the federal government, reducing

spending as well as armed forces (us-presidents.insidegov.com). The

As for being liked, the response from the people in his first term decreased, likely due to

the lack of banking, which is what his opponents desired. However, after 1802 and his second

term, the public opinion turned in his favor. This can be credited to possibly the upturn in the

economy with the industrial boom, along with decreasing the spending budget, him listening to

the Americans (us-presidents.insidegov.com). Also, he was fortunate to go through two terms

without any major scandals making headlines.

 In conclusion, Jefferson worked hard to achieve the position as our third President. He

was responsible for an entire country and left behind a legacy, that I think, most people think of

him as a prestigious man, even with his faults, such as not having a centralized banking system.

Without him, America might not be the size it is today, had he not purchased Louisiana from

Spain. Personally, I feel students, past and present, will always remember him for drafting the

Declaration of Independence, which is something that is unique and special to our lands history.
 Works Cited

History.com Staff. "Thomas Jefferson." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 03

May 2017.

Inside Gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2017.

National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives and Records Administration,

n.d. Web. 03 May 2017.

"Thomas Jefferson." Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 28 Apr. 2017. Web. 03 May

2017.

Writer, Leaf Group. "The American Economy During the 1800s." Synonym. Synonym, 18 Jan.

2017. Web. 03 May 2017.