Contributions of Thomas Jefferson :: essays research papers

In the year 1800, Thomas Jefferson succeeded John Adams and became the next President of the United States. When coming into office he had numerous ideas of how he wanted to have the country run. Also, in being the front man to the Republican Party he had several people supporting(a) those ideas. However, Jefferson soon realized that not all of his ideas would be able to be incorporated into the government as simply as he assumed and what is more that some of his ideas were not as great as the assumed. Nevertheless, although Jefferson may not have lived up to all of his campaign promises and the expectations of his party, he did use his time as president efficiently and developed the new reputation of the United States.Jefferson was called The Man of the People with his philosophy of government being to put more power into the pass on of the people and limiting the power of government. He was concerned that high taxes, standing armies, and civic corruption could demolish American liberty by giving as well much authority to the government. Moreover, Jefferson thought common liberty required a common good and to put this ahead of ones personal social welfare and make sure to keep the government from growing out of control. He thought the most honorable citizens were the knowledgeable farmers and that cities were a breeding ground for those who would acquaint a threat to liberty. This was because men who relied on merchants or factory proprietors for employment could manipulate their employees votes, as opposed to farmers who were their own bosses.To a degree Thomas Jefferson was virtual(a) when it came to foreign affairs. As an alternative to doing what his political party anticipated him to do he would make decisions based on the common good of the country. For instance, in 1803 when Jefferson was in the midst of his plan to rid America of its national debt, he bought the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon Bonaparte for $15 million, which was nearly the pri ce of the national debt he was trying to dispose of. Being realistic Jefferson bought it because it was a bargain to pay for nearly doubling the size of the United States, made it so the U.S wasnt sandwiched betwixt Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars, and acquired New Orleans. However, most Federalists opposed the purchase and Americans didnt get a chance to vote on whether or not to buy it.