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Thomas Jefferson's Impact On American Government

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Summary of Life Thomas Jefferson had an incredible impact on american government in his years. He was the author of the Declaration of Independence. He was born on a plantation in Shadwell on a large tract of land near present-day Charlottesville. His father was a successful planter and his mother came from a privileged Virginia family. He had six sisters and a surviving brother. In 1762, Jefferson graduated from William and Mary in Williamsburg Virginia where he studied for long periods of time and practiced violin for several hours everyday. He also studied law with the guidance of a respected Virginia attorney, and started work as a lawyer in 1767. Jefferson dealt with a lot of problems at home during his presidency. He was a democratic republican and many …show more content…
But this was very harmful to our economy because it depends on trade with other countries. The pirate countries of North America tried to bribe us so that they would leave our ships alone, but Jefferson refused to negociat so we fought. Eventually they stopped attacking our ships. Many conflicts arose when the offer of the Louisiana Purchase arose. At this time Spain and France would not let us use the port of New Orleans. So Jefferson offered to buy this land from them. Then Napoleon offered the whole area of Louisiana for sale to him. He was not sure if he could even purchase this much land. Nowhere in the Constitution did it say the president could buy land. Eventually he was persuaded to purchase it. More obstacles arose with the Federalist party. When Adams lost the election in 1800, the party thought the U.S. would fall or undergo a Civil War. He dealt with Federalist judges put into power by the existing president John Adams. He also had to deal with the press that was attempting to slander his name. But Jefferson had his own news men who did the same thing to those Federalists. Jefferson sent a naval fleet to defeat the Barbary pirates. He also brought about the Embargo Act against

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