The Legacy of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is considered the Father of the Republican party. This article is an outline of Thomas Jefferson’s achievements.

In 1767, Thomas Jefferson started his law practice.

In 1769, Thomas Jefferson became a Representative in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Jefferson also write a pamphlet on the rights of British America.

In 1774, Jefferson gave instructions to the Virginia Delegates at the Continental Congress advocating the independence of the colonies.

In 1775, Jefferson was elected to the Second Continental Congress. He drafted a Declaration of Causes for Taking Up Arms. He also drafted a finance report for national defense. He wrote a first draft of the Virginia Constitution.

In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

In 1779, Jefferson became the Governor of Virginia.

In 1782, Congress appointed Jefferson to negotiate peace with Great Britain.

In 1784, Jefferson generated a western expansion policy and a colony coinage report.

In 1785, Jefferson consolidated the U.S. debt.

In 1787, Madison kept Jefferson informed about the Constitutional Convention proceedings.

In 1789, Jefferson helped with the French Declaration of Rights.

In 1790, Jefferson became the Secretary of State under President George Washington. Jefferson worked with Hamilton on the assumption of state debts.

In 1791, Jefferson and Hamilton disagreed on implied powers of the Federal Government in the U.S. Constitution. This was the beginning of our two party system. One party with a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution (Republicans) and the other with a loose interpretation (Federalists.)

In 1792, Jefferson opposed Hamilton’s economic plans and national bank plan.

In 1793, Jefferson argued against the U.S. acceptance of the new French minister following the French revolution.

In 1794, In Monticello. Jefferson introduced the seven step crop rotation plan in order to save the soil.

In 1795, Jefferson opposed the ratification of the Jay Treaty.

In 1796, Jefferson was elected Vice President under President John Adams.

In 1798, Jefferson opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts.

In 1799, George Washington passed away.

In 1800, Jefferson wrote a manual of parliamentary procedure which our U.S. Senate still uses today. Also Washington D.C. became the capitol of the United States.

In 1801, Jefferson was elected President of the United States and Aaron Burr was elected Vice President. President Adams appointed John Marshall as the U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Jefferson became the first President inaugurated in Washington D.C. Tripoli declared war on the U.S. A naval squadron was sent to Tripoli.

In 1802, Jefferson expressed his opinion on government Establishment of religion.

In 1803, Jefferson requested Congressional funds for the exploration of the Mississippi River and the west. The Louisiana territory was purchased from France. Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Louisiana purchase amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Jefferson was re-elected for a second term.

In 1804, Alexander Hamilton died in a duel with Aaron Burr.

In 1805, President Jefferson was inaugurated. The U.S. and Tripoli signed an agreement.

In 1806, Jefferson appointed Monroe and Pinckey as joint commissioners to Great Britain. Jefferson issued a proclamation against Aaron Burr’s conquest of Spanish possessions.

In 1807, Aaron Burr was captured and placed in prison. The Monroe Pinckey treaty was made public. The British warship Leopard attacked the Chesapeake. Jefferson closed all American ports to British ships. Congress passed the Embargo Act.

In 1808, Jefferson called for an increase in U.S. manufacturing.

In 1809, the Embargo act was repealed.

In 1826, Thomas Jefferson died.

References:

The World Almanac of 2009

A Patriot’s History of the U.S.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/thomasjefferson