Revised:Jeffersonian Revolution

Thomas Jefferson was born April 13, 1743 in Shadwell , Virgina. Jefferson grew up to practiced law and served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Jefferson Also served as governor of Virginia from 1779–1781. He also was a primary author of the Declaration of Independence.Further more Jefferson served as minister to France from 1785 to 1789. In addition he also was the first Secretary of State under the first president, George Washington.Finally in 1800 Jefferson became president of the United States. Jefferson's presidency was a second revolution for the United States. This is due to the 1800 Revolution ,Jeffersonian movement, and both of his terms as president.

United States presidential election of 1800, sometimes referred to as the “Revolution of 1800”, was the year when Thomas Jefferson( A Republican) defeated John Adams( A Federalist).The election resulted in a tie between Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Federalist ,Alexander Hamilton, who favored Jefferson more than Burr, voted for Jefferson instead of Burr, which allowed Jefferson to take hold of the presidency. The election brought in the time of the Democratic-Republican Party rule and the eventual decline of the Federalist Party. Further more, the republican party took control of the presidency and both houses of Congress, beginning a quarter century of control of those institutions. All in all the revolution was a peaceful transition in to the republican political party.

After the American Revolution and the ratification of the AOC the Americans seemed to split into two political parties, the Federalist and Democratic-Republicans.The leader of the Republicans Was Jefferson .Jefferson being the leader historians decided to name the movement of Republican beliefs after him, the Jeffersonian Movement.The types of people that were amongst this movement were mostly Farmers. these people believed in a strict interpretation of the constitution and favored a limited central government. They also believed in a agrarian society. Further more this movement helped to further democratize the United States.

During his first term Jefferson had one major achievement, The Louisiana Purchase.This was a Foreign and Domestic affair In 1803 French Emperor, Napoleon, needed money to fight Britain so he decided to sell Louisiana. Though it wasn't in his belief Jefferson purchased Louisiana for agricultural purposes. After the purchase he sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on a expedition to the new land.He told them to find out as much as possible about topographical , features, and resources. This was a great achievement for him because it increased the size of the country. It would also help make more land for his fellow farmers.

During 1814 in North Africa, Barbary Pirates started to seize American ships. This was a problem for Jefferson because the United States had no navy.To Stop this the United states decided to pay tribute to protect the ships. Finally the united states stopped paying when they defeated the pirates in 1815.This was foreign because it had to do with Africa. This is also a Domestic affair because they had to pay for the tributes.

French and British conflict in 1805 started to effect the United States.The British controlled the sea, whiled the french controlled the earth.In 1805 The British came out with the Essex In 1805 the British came out with Essex decision which stated that trade was closed and meant that the Americans couldn't trade in the french west indies. Again in 1807 The British blockaded the french ports with the Orders of council so the french couldn't get supplies. In that some year the French announced the Milan Decree which said they would capture any ships that obeyed the french. This feud often had American ships seized, Which angered Jefferson. To Deal with the French and British Jefferson came out with acts. The first one was the Nonintercourse act . This act Halted importation of British goods. The next act was the Embargo act mentioned before. It ended all foreign trade together which hurt the Americans more the the french and British.This is a great example of domestic affairs because it made the American economy decline. Later in 1809 the Americans again came out with the Nonintercourse act which prohibited trade if French and British. The last act was the Macon's bill no. 2. It would trade with both countries if they revoked their Decree's and or Order's. Overall this was a foreign affair because France and Britain were in Europe. This also is a example of what President Washington warned against,in his farewell speech.


Jefferson's presidency was in the end a transitional political revolution. Jefferson's beliefs and achievements further modernized the United states. Though he messed up with the Embargo act he redeemed hes self with the Macons bill. Jefferson was not the first president but he was the first to help our country to get ahead.