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Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was a very important and key person in the founding and early stages of the United States. His place in American history and the founding of America is quite permanent, many events of his personal life are much more controversial. Thomas Jefferson accomplished many things in his time as president of the United States. Firstly, though not truly an accomplishment, Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in the newly build Washington D.C.2,5 In his presidency Jefferson out an end to barbaric pirate attacks upon U.S. shipping in the Mediterranean Sea.1 When the Napoleonic wars broke out in France the U.S. had to make the decision on where to stand in the wars. Jefferson chose neutrality, Britain …show more content…
He felt if the emancipation of all slaves were to occur, blacks would be sent out of the country as whites and blacks could not peacefully coexist. This possibility was not economically feasible.3 Jefferson had been the main author of the Declaration of Independence which states all men were equal, yet he believed that blacks were inferior to whites.2 He was also seen as an advocate of gradual emancipation yet he owned slaves throughout his life.2 When Jefferson’s father died, Thomas inherited 175 salves from his will, it is believed that he owned approximately 600 slaves throughout his lifetime.2 When Jefferson died his will allowed very few of his slaves to be set free, the remaining slaves were sold to help counteract the debt which he had accrued throughout his lifetime.2 These many contradictory and confusing views on slavery led Jefferson to back away from a leadership role on the …show more content…
be successful throughout its infancy. Firstly, he helped delay an evident war with Britain, the war of 1812, which the U.S. was not prepared for when it happened, let alone many years earlier.2 After the end of his presidency Jefferson helped found the University of Virginia and worked on his home, Monticello.2 Jefferson served many major political positions, such as french minister after Franklin, secretary of state under president George Washington and vice president under President John Adams.3,6 A once in a lifetime opportunity for him and his country, though against his Democratic-Republican beliefs, Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory which doubled the U.S. overnight and helped shape America as it is today. 1,5 Jefferson is most remembered for being the main author of the Declaration of Independence which declared the colonies of America free from Britain. This took the small spark of battle at Lexington and turned it into an all out revolution.2,4 Thomas Jefferson accomplished many great things in his life which helped the United States get through its beginning

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