Thomas Jefferson: A Founding Father's Legacy

900 Words2 Pages

A Founding Father, author of the Declaration of Independence, and the third President of the United States are all descriptors of the accomplished Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Jefferson has not only completed these successful feats, but he also managed to proficiently manage an astounding amount of other contributions to this country. Thomas Jefferson is associated not only with the founding of our strong nation, but he has completed a great many acts that have facilitated the growth of the United States. Thomas Jefferson accomplished numerous endeavors in his life, and this is why he is so respected and admired, even centuries after he was on the earth. Thomas Jefferson’s early life, contributions to the Revolution, and his life during and after …show more content…

Since Thomas was elected to the House of Burgesses, new and exciting opportunities were in store for him. Thomas Jefferson was appointed to the Second Continental Congress in 1776 as a delegate from Virginia. During the Second Continental Congress, a committee including John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, and Thomas Jefferson were responsible for designing a formal declaration of independence. The committee appointed Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was accepted. The Declaration of Independence explains the purpose of government, the reasons why the colonies were breaking away from England, and declaring their independence. “The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.”- Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson is an exceptionally persuasive and strong author, and for this he was chosen to write the document that is the basis of this country. Thomas Jefferson also contributed to the making of the official seal of Congress and the motto for the new country. E Pluribus Unum, or one out of many, is the motto that was adopted for the seal of …show more content…

Jefferson’s role in the War for Independence is part of what makes him great, the amazing deeds that he accomplished after were extraordinary as well. According to ushistory.org, “In 1784 Jefferson went to France as an associate Diplomat with Franklin and Adams. It was in that year that wrote an article establishing the standard weights, measures, and currency units for the United States. He succeeded Franklin as Minister to France the following year. When he returned home in 1789, he joined the Continental Congress for a while, and was then appointed Secretary of State under George Washington.” In 1796, he ran for president of the United States however, he lost to his colleague John Adams. Although he was not successful in the preceding elections, on February 17, 1801 Thomas Jefferson was elected to be the third President of the United States as a part of the Democratic Republican Party. Mr. Jefferson believed in freedom of speech, religion, and assembly and made that a focal point in his presidency. He was an advocate for individual rights and protected them. In the amendments of the Constitution, Thomas Jefferson pushed for these concepts to be included. In 1803, the United States gained control of much of the land west of the Mississippi River from the Louisiana Purchase. Thomas Jefferson instructed Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the land that was obtained in the Louisiana Purchase. Even after his presidency, he continued to be involved in

Open Document