The Pros And Cons Of Thomas Jefferson

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The United States has had forty-three presidents serve this great nation, and each president has helped shape this country in different ways. Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States of America, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, a Founding Father, and a member of the Jeffersonian Republican party. He was born in Virginia and served along other great men like George Washington. His two terms were full of both great achievements and terrible actions. The real question is whether or not Jefferson’s presidency bettered the nation in a positive way. In 1801, Jefferson started his first term as the president of the United States. In fear that France was going to start an empire in America, President Jefferson …show more content…

Jefferson scaled down the number of formal balls, social gatherings, and banquets that took place during his presidency. Jefferson wanted to be like every other man, and his simple life also saved a fair amount of money. He preferred to ride on horseback rather than the Presidential carriage. Even though he had a great deal of power, Jefferson didn’t think he was better than anyone else. This is another reason why he was a great president. Jefferson condensed the government and the military in 1802. The direct tax of 1798 was terminated along with parts of the Alien and Sedition Acts. Little by little, Jefferson’s shrinking of spending started to pay off and the national debt started to decrease. “During Jefferson’s administration, the national debt fell from $80 million to $57 million, and the government built up surplus (Liberty, Equality, Power, Murrin; 257).” When it came to the financial state, Jefferson put the United States in a much better position by reducing the national debt by twenty-three million …show more content…

Burr wanted to build his own territory in the southern part of the United States, so he headed out West to form an army to start his conspiracy. Shortly after, word got out, and Jefferson was informed about Burr’s plan. Jefferson sent a group to stop him, and in Richmond, Virginia, Burr gets arrested and charged with treason. He then has to go before the court. While Jefferson should have won this case, he lashed personal attacks on the Chief of Justice, John Marshal during the duration of the trail. The jury found Burr not guilty, and he moved back to Europe. Jefferson should have won this trail, however his foolishness got the best of

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