Thomas Jefferson Essays -- essays research papers

Thomas Jefferson is remembered in history non only for the offices he held, but as well for his belief in the natural rights of man as expressed in the Declaration of license and his faith in the peoples ability to govern themselves. done his political career, Thomas Jefferson advocated democratic principles and adhered to his liberal ideology. However, as a chairwoman he found it difficult to maintain these policies in the noisy study of politics. Consequently, circumstances forced him to reverse himself in some degree on these concepts.& adenylic acid9When he was voted into the presidency, Jefferson devoted a major class of his inaugural address to the &quotthe essential principles of our government, and consequently those which ought to shape its administration&quot (Cunningham). Here he reiterated his basic political principles and the guide policies that he had professed as a candidate, which he now restated as the maneuver pillars of his administration. He began by affirming &quotequal and exact justice to solely his men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.&quot Next, Jefferson proclaimed, &quotPeace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.&quot He then went on to affirm his commitment to the rights of the states and the preservation of the central government. Continuing to intermingle common principles and specific policies, that new president declared that he favored combine for defense on a &quotmilitia rather than an army, a small navy&quot (Cunningham) and prosperity through &quoteconomy, the earnings of debts, and the encouragement of agriculture and commerce as its handmaid.&quot He also emphasized basic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and impartially selected juries. &quotThese principles,&quot Jefferson concluded, &quotform the brightest constellation, which has gone before us and guided our steps through an a ge of revolution and reformation They should be the creed of our political faith, the text of civic instruction, the touchstone by which we afflict the services of those we trust.&quot Unfortunately for Jefferson, marinating this creed would not be thriving during this period of history.&9Jefferson maintained his governing principles throughout the near(prenominal) part of his presidency.... ...elpless American ship was thereupon forced to surrender four of its men. champion was a British deserter, but three were Americans. Many Americans wanted to go to war against Britain over this incident. However, Jefferson was determined to avoid war, feeling he could give Britain to terms by applying economic pressure. In December 1807, the Congress passed the trade embargo Act. American ships were forbidden to sail from American ports to any European port. Jefferson believed that England and France could not survive without American trade. However, he had greatly underestimated the effect of the embargo on the United States itself. All parts of the country were affected, especially the industrial and commercial-grade North. In order to avoid war, Jefferson was forced to act against two of his principles by risking American commerce and terminating friendly relationships with other nations. &9patronage the unavoidable circumstances that caused his actions, Jefferson still proved to be one of the most valued presidents. His ideas, firmly established in the Declaration of Independence, are the presentation of modern society. Current politicians and citizens value many of his principles as well.