Thomas Jefferson – The Country’s Greatest President

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Thomas Jefferson

The Country’s Greatest President

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Background and Education

Father: Peter Jefferson

Like most sons of land owners, he studied land surveying

Graduated from William and Mary University in Williamsburg, VA

Tall, red-headed, quiet

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Political Beliefs

The government which governs least, governs best

Strongly favored States Rights as opposed to a strong national government

Believed in a strict construction, or strict interpretation, of the U.S.Constitution

Wanted to end all taxes of any kind paid by U.S. citizens

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Accomplishments Prior to becoming President

Wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence

Wrote the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom

Created the University of Virginia

Served as an ambassador to Europe from the United States

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The Election of 1800

Democratic-Republican Candidates:

Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr

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The Election of 1800

Federalist Candidates:

John Adams and Charles C. Pinckney

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4. The Election of 1800

Adams would have won re-election, perhaps easily, had Alexander Hamilton not split the Federalist Party

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4. The Election of 1800

Instead, the Democratic-Republicans won the election

Both winning candidates, Jefferson and Burr, received 73 electoral votes

Election was settled the House of Representatives after 35 votes

Hamilton swings the election to Jefferson and angers Burr

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4. The Election of 1800

The messed up election pointed out the need for a Constitutional amendment regarding the Presidential election process.

The 12th Amendment modified the Constitution so that the President and the Vice-President are elected using separate ballots.

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4. The Election of 1800