Thomas Jefferson Essay Research Paper Introduction — страница 2

Amendment). The Declaration of Independence, released by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, swept away an existing government as yesterday’s news, declared the principle that political sovereignty rests within the hands of each individual, and that it is the right and duty of citizens everywhere to institute a new government whenever their old one no longer serves their needs. When Jefferson was selected to be the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, he responded “…the task is above my talents (Jefferson)”. On June 28, 1776, a committee of five was selected to make the rough draft of the Declaration. The original draft was reviewed and revised by the Continental Congress before being approved. One of the most important changes made by the Congress was

to delete language that denounced King George III for having promoted the slave trade among the colonies. Even with the changes, “Jefferson’s style had a clarity and tone any writer would applaud (Johnson)”. On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. Later years At one time Jefferson held each of the important positions in the American political system. From 1779-1781 he was the governor of Virginia. In 1785 he was the United States minister to France. Jefferson was the secretary of state to George Washington, vice-president to John Adams, and from 1801-1809 (two consecutive terms) He was the president of the United States. His enormous contributions to the American legislature included his bills on religious liberty, and Notes

on the Establishment of a Money Unit. This decimal system of coinage allows Americans to keep accounts in dollars and cents. He married Martha Wayles Skelton in 1772. They settled at Monticello before it was finished. Together they had one son and five daughters, but only two children lived to maturity: Martha (1772-1836) and Mary (1778-1804). Mrs. Jefferson died in 1782, after only ten years of marriage, he never remarried. Jefferson cultivated on of the finest gardens in America. He invented a decoding device, a lap desk, and an improved type of moldboard plow. His library collection had over 6,400 books, it became a major part of the library of congress. Jefferson prepared a written vocabulary of Indian language. He arranged for the French sculptor Jean Houdon to come to

America to make a statue of George Washington. Jefferson also posed for Houdon and for the famous American portrait painter Gilbert Stuart. He enjoyed playing the violin in chamber music concerts. Jefferson also founded the University of Virginia, “Of which he was very proud (Internet)”. He died in 1826, and left his family deep in debt. The Executor’s Sale in the winter of 1827 put up for sale 130 of his slaves. They sold all of his possession’s in three years. Conclusion Thomas Jefferson was a great and powerful leader who led a full and successful life in America. Even as a young boy, Jefferson was an independent thinker, which led him into a career in politics. Jefferson also was a great writer and inventor. Some of his writings include the Declaration of Independence

and the Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, both which shaped the nation into what it is today. Jefferson helped set a standard for the United States as well as the rest of the world. Without him, the United States would not be the land of justice, liberty and the free.