History

Paper Topics
Fall 2020
You will write a brief 1000-1250 word (4- to 5-page) research essay for this course, employing outside secondary sources. It is due by 11:59 p.m. on the due date specified in the syllabus.
You must submit your paper as an attachment. Please note that I cannot open files OTHER than doc, docx, or pdf.

All of your papers should be double-spaced, with one-inch margins and in ten- or twelve-point type. Your papers should be carefully composed, well-organized, and proofread. You will lose points for excessive grammar and spelling errors.
You must include endnotes or footnotes and a bibliography, both in the Chicago style. realize that many of you are not familiar with this citation style. However, it is standard in history and I require that you use it—you will lose points from your essay if you do not.

Thomas Jefferson Presidency

Introduction

Jefferson was the third president of the United States and whose presidency was marked by both domestic and foreign successes. Considerably, all good leaders in the society focus on a single objective which is to facilitate the capability of the country and the well-being of the people to thrive greatly socially, politically, and economically. Every president is bound to putting forth the views of the people for the best interest of the country to ensure that the nation succeeds in the future. Thomas Jefferson focused on assuring American development and stability by promoting social and political democracy within the United States. Jefferson’s president was successful in putting his ideological vision of democracy through several achievements that promoted freedom, rights, and stirring development.

Jefferson contributed to the rise of American democracy leading the path for American liberal politics[1]. Jefferson successfully built a democratic American society through his democratic perception of the society where he developed democratic policies. The democratic policies and amendments played a great role in improving the condition of the Americans as well as lowering oppression within the state. Jefferson’s presidency was recognized for promoting and acknowledging the rights of the people and diminishing the beneficial views of the federalists.

Jefferson extended American Ideals of freedom of speech, liberty, and press through his democratic-republican administration. The federal government violated the rights of individuals. However, through the democratic-republic administration, the citizens were allowed the civic duty to support the state and eliminate corruption. For instance, Jefferson believed that sedition and Alien Acts were clear violations of freedom of the press and speech.

Within his democratic achievements, Jefferson drafted the Virginia Statute which facilitated religious freedom. The Virginia Statue for religious freedom was aimed at disestablishing the Church of England in Virginia and guarantee freedom of religion to all individuals from different faiths[2]. The separation of the state and church as well as offering religious freedom was effective in preventing the cultural majority from utilizing power from the state to impose their personal beliefs. This prevented the government from interfering with religions as well as guaranteeing religious liberty. Religious freedom was one of the rights that the United States required for revolution. Over the years, religious freedom has benefited everyone through facilitating equal treatment of Christians, Muslims, Jews, and atheists. Additionally, it has played a big role in preserving the diversity of Americans where people of different worldviews, faiths and believes can live peacefully together without fear of discrimination and punishment from the government.

Jefferson played a significant role in ending slavery and the slave trade through the criminalization of the international slave trade[3]. Considerably, Jefferson helped in changing society as well as the practices. Slavery was unethical and eliminated human rights and freedom. Enslavement was sustained by a deadly system that led to terrible situations. For instance, the journey across the Atlantic led to many dangers where many died before arriving. The slaves suffered harsh labor, terrible lives, and a lack of security and rights. Jefferson ensured exact and equal justice to all men despite their state, or political ideals to support all their rights.

Jefferson focused on maintaining American neutrality both abroad and at home. His presidency marked the shift from federalist to democratic administration[4]. Ideally, the overriding goal of Jefferson as the president was to promote the physical expansion of the country as well as the political democracy. During the two terms as a president, Jefferson reversed the domestic policies established by the previous federalist party by turning away from urban development to promoting agriculture. Therefore, Jefferson developed an agricultural-based economy which aimed at preventing people from working in factories.

The most significant accomplishment for Jefferson was the Louisiana purchase where he acquired more land which doubled the size of the nation within a single stroke. This was Jefferson’s great foreign policy. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States but was also a source of immense wealth for the Americans. This is because the land was fertile and rich in silver, gold, and huge forest land for farming and grazing. The new acquisition held a substantial role in the growth of Americans through an ample provision of prosperity and enriching the people. Louisiana’s purchase led to new farmlands for the yeomen farmers and integrate the Indians into American society. Additionally, the purchase was an effective economic safety valve that allowed people to own land thus promoting agricultural commerce and promote self-reliance. Jefferson ensured that the United States economy relied on more agriculture for strategic growth and development for the people.

Jefferson being a constructionist, advocated for the rights of the states and limited power for the federal government. He took great measures to assure reduced power by proposing resolutions that led to the strict interpretation of the constitution during the discussions of powers offered to the federal government[5]. Jefferson was a hero for the democratic-republicans since he was able to advocate for the rights of those with low powers.

Thomas Jefferson promoted the progress of education within the United States. His support and engagement in education are marked by founding the University of Virginia. Education played a great role in making people informed and productive. Jefferson believed that through education, the people would be able to deal with their own business, which can boost freedom by enabling them to express their ideas and opinions in writing as well as allow them to comprehend their duties and rights thus boosting their social lives. Considerably, education is considered as a social institution through which the society offers the people with essential skills and knowledge which improves their personal lives and enables smooth running of operations. Therefore, Jefferson was successful in bettering society and boosting social progress.

Jefferson was successful in lowering the national debt by reducing government spending under former president Adams. Considerably, a country with a high national debt means that there are low incomes and fewer economic opportunities for the people. Budget imbalances are among the things that harm the citizens leading to disparities in wealth and income. Additionally, huge amounts of debts leave the policymakers with lower flexibility in handling unexpected events. Jefferson focused on reducing government spending. Therefore, the government departments were given less money to enable the government to quick payments of its debts. Over the years the government had owed millions of dollars where the debt grew due to loan interest. Jefferson began reducing the expenditure by ending non-essential jobs in the executive branch. Lowered the number of American ambassadors and eliminated tax inspectors thus enabling Jefferson to cut taxes on some products.

Conclusion

In summation, Jefferson’s presidency within the two terms was successful with reference to his major achievements. Jefferson is regarded as one of the most successful presidents of the United States. In a large part, his democratic administration fostered the well-being of the society, contributed to freedom and policy success such as reduced expenditure, agricultural growth, and territory expansion that marked domestic and foreign success. For instance, lowering the national debt is a significant effort in securing the American future. Jefferson’s presidency played a significant role in developing the American democracy, revolution, and sustainable development of the United States.

References

Barber, Benjamin R. “Participatory democracy.” The Encyclopedia of political thought (2014): 2650-2654.

Blasi, Joseph R., Richard B. Freeman, and Douglas L. Kruse. The citizen’s share: Putting ownership back into democracy. Yale University Press, 2013.

Gutzman, Kevin RC. Thomas Jefferson-Revolutionary: A Radical’s Struggle to Remake America. St. Martin’s Press, 2017.

McDonald, Robert MS, ed. Light and Liberty: Thomas Jefferson and the Power of Knowledge. University of Virginia Press, 2012.

Spahn, Hannah. Thomas Jefferson, Time, and History. University of Virginia Press, 2011.

[1] Barber, Benjamin R. “Participatory democracy.” The Encyclopedia of political thought (2014): 2650-2654.

[2] Gutzman, Kevin RC. Thomas Jefferson-Revolutionary: A Radical’s Struggle to Remake America. St. Martin’s Press, 2017.

[3] Spahn, Hannah. Thomas Jefferson, Time, and History. University of Virginia Press, 2011.

Press.

[4] Blasi, Joseph R., Richard B. Freeman, and Douglas L. Kruse. The citizen’s share: Putting ownership back into democracy. Yale University Press, 2013.

[5] McDonald, Robert MS, ed. Light and Liberty: Thomas Jefferson and the Power of Knowledge. University of Virginia Press, 2012.