Thomas Jefferson: The founding father's legacy
What impact did Thomas Jefferson have on the genesis of US democracy? How did the third president double the country’s size, and what were his thoughts on slavery?
Image: Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States | Public Domain
Thomas Jefferson is one of the most famous names in United States history. The third president’s face is depicted on Mount Rushmore as well as modern US currency, but how much do you really know about the man?
Though Jefferson served as US president from 1801 to 1809, his significant influence on the nation’s development goes back much further. As one of the 18th-century Founding Fathers, he helped establish the US as a sovereign state, including by writing the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson’s greatest achievements
Jefferson was born on 13th April 1743 in Virginia — at that time, one of Great Britain’s North American colonies. Jefferson’s early political career was shaped by the American Revolution (1765-1783).
After the United States secured its independence, Jefferson quickly ascended the political ranks. After tenures as Minister to France and Secretary of State, Jefferson was elected Vice President in 1796.
It’s a reflection of Jefferson’s strong political nous that he wielded considerable influence decades before taking the reins of the presidency. Here is a rundown of arguably his biggest milestones — both in and outside the White House.
Writing the Declaration of Independence
Though Britain was in the ascendency after triumphing in the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), a big problem remained. The conflict had left the country with a startlingly high deficit. How did the British attempt to tackle it? By imposing higher taxes on Britain’s American colonists.
It all eventually led to the colonies’ Continental Congress adopting the Declaration of Independence on 4th July 1776. The document featured the now-famous insistence that 'all men are created equal' and hold 'certain unalienable Rights' — including 'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? It was largely Jefferson’s work. The document declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain. However, the British only started to formally recognise this independence upon signing the 1783 Treaty of Paris.
Making the Louisiana Purchase
Only the year before Jefferson became president, France had acquired the Louisiana territory west of the young United States. Jefferson was concerned that French ownership of this vast area could threaten his own country’s national security.
In 1803, he dispatched fellow Founding Fathers James Monroe and Robert R Livingston to Paris in the hope of purchasing New Orleans from the French. Jefferson ended up getting much more than he had actually asked for.
French leader Napoleon Bonaparte agreed to sell Jefferson the entire Louisiana territory for $15 million. This move was prompted by Napoleon’s desperate need for fresh funds, as his warring in Europe had wreaked havoc on France’s finances.
The Louisiana Purchase, as it is known today, doubled the geographic extent of the United States.
Approving the Lewis and Clark Expedition
After completing the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson was eager to learn more about the United States’ new land — for commercial and scientific reasons.
For this reason, Jefferson tasked Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark with exploring and mapping the area. Dozens of men joined them on the trip, which became known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition — and lasted from 1804 to 1806.
Establishing the University of Virginia
Jefferson was skilled as an architect. In fact, he designed not only his own estate of Monticello (available to visit today as a museum) but also architecture of a new university.
That was the University of Virginia, which he founded. It continues to accept students today, and is located in Charlottesville — not far from Monticello, which lies just outside the city.
Why is Thomas Jefferson controversial today?
Though historians have praised Jefferson for his advocacy of individual freedom, his stance on slavery divides opinion.
During his life, Jefferson owned more than 600 slaves in total. As president, Jefferson repeatedly criticised the international slave trade. Nonetheless, few of his slaves were freed, even after Jefferson’s death on 4th July 1826.
Jefferson openly expressed fear that white people and former slaves would not be able to coexist peaceably in American society. Hence, he felt that a better solution to the slavery problem would be for freed African Americans to colonise Africa.
For two centuries, it was rumoured that Jefferson had fathered children with Sally Hemings, one of his slaves. In 1998, researchers found strong evidence in support of the story after analysing DNA of Jefferson relatives and Hemings descendants.
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