Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson, one of the most revered of our founding fathers, is claimed with some justification as a political icon by both liberals and conservatives in modern times, for there were elements of his political philosophy that are consistent with the beliefs of both groups. Yet one needs to understand that Jefferson's position must be understood both in the context of his own times and in the context of the changes that have occurred over the course of American history. The forces the affect our "pursuit of happiness" have evolved; so must our understanding of the Jefferson's idea of the proper role of government in American society. Had Jefferson, for example, foreseen the power of the "robber barons," he might have seen governmentvery differently. Jefferson was, in his day, a true liberal, even a radical one, in his pursuit of freedom of speech and religion, the spreading of republican (democratic) values far and wide and in his general approach to government. He was willing to see blood shed in the cause of freedom, not only during the revolution but as a general principle. On the other hand, he felt that all government was a necessary evil, and that that government which governed best governed least. He was one of the first sponsors of government supported education for all children, and among his proudest achievements was the founding of the University of Virginia. Jefferson felt that an educated citizenry was the surest way to protect democratic institutions and guard against a oppression. He said: "Educate the people generally, and tyranny and injustice will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day." Jefferson's greatest political rival was Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson opposed the kindof centralization that Hamilton advocated, and he strongly disagreed with Hamilton's reasoning in the creation of a national bank. Jefferson also parted ways with his closefriend John Adams even while serving as Adams's Vice President. One of the sad outcomes of the political bitterness of the 1790s was the rupture of the friendship between these two giants. (Fortunately for posterity they were later reunited in correspondence through the intercession of their mutual friend, Dr. Benjamin Rush, and spent their latter years writing each other about a wide variety of topics. They died on the same day—July 4, 1826.) Jefferson the Man: An Enigma - Claimed by both left and right, he remains elusive and controversial. Personally he was a shy and introspective man. - He was a brilliant thinker, in office capable and pragmatic, but he was not great president. - Jefferson personified the contradictions in republicanism: he despised ceremonies and formality and dedicated himself to intellectual pursuits. Still, he was a politician to the core—he realized that success as president depended on cooperation with Congress. - Jefferson's View of Man was shaped by his experiences during the early days of the French Revolution. He approved of the French foray into new government forms, but he was slow to deplore the violence. He said, "The tree of liberty needs to be watered with the blood of a few patriots now and then." - His public life was characterized by conflict: with Hamilton, Adams and even Washington from time to time. His most enduring political friendship was probably with James Madison who moved from the Federalist camp to becomea stalwart of Jeffersonian democracy.Jefferson's Political Theory - He believed that that government governs best which governs least, and he held a strong belief in a free press, freedom of religion and speech. - Jefferson did not like pomposity, formality, or aristocratic pretensions. He supported the yeoman farmer, who he felt he was the salt of the earth, and did not want America to become a nation of "mechanics." He also did not trust judges, bankers, merchants—and he disliked urban life. - Jefferson loved music, education learning; he collected books—after the War of1812 his library became the core of the Library of Congress. - Jefferson and Education Jefferson was an early advocate of government supported education, as he showed in the land ordinances of the 1780s, parts of which he authored. The Revolution of 1800: Jefferson's Republicans Triumph over Adams and the Federalists Thomas Jefferson's inauguration marked a major transition of power in America. Jefferson called this peaceful transfer of power a "revolution," and in a sense that wastrue. Throughout history, governments (kings, autocrats, emperors) had rarely been replaced, except by death and inherited succession, without bloodshed or war. This peaceful transition at the dawn of republican ideas ushered in a new century in appropriate style. In Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address he laid down his political philosophy in his own words, written in his own hand. There were no "speechwriters" in Jefferson's time. Jefferson as President - Jefferson was known for what has been called a "pell-mell" style, in that he stepped back from the more formal practices of Washington and Adams. In keeping with his basic republican principles, he favored more informality in theWhite House. At dinner he sat people randomly around the table rather than in order of rank. His informality of dress surprised many, especially foreign diplomats used to the grandeur of European courts. Also in keeping with his idea of minimal government he asked Congress to repeal the federal excise taxes on whiskey. Jefferson attitude toward military matters bordered on pacifism (he had not fought during the Revolution) and he has been criticized for allowing the U.S. military to slip to the point where we could scarcely defend our own national waters, which, in that troubled time, invited abuse of America's rights as a neutral nation as the European powers waged terrible wars. His purpose was a frugal government, an admirable goal, but the reduction of military expenditures was dangerous to some. Some Highlights of the Jefferson's Era: - The election of 1800 was called by Jefferson with some justification a "revolution," in that for one of the only times on modern history, political power in a major nation had changed hands with no bloodshed. The peaceful transition of power is one of the great legacies of the early American republic, and Jefferson celebrated that idea in his first inaugural address. - The following quotation from Jefferson's first inaugural address captures not