Evaluate the Presidency of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was a well respected man by the common people. He was apart of the Democratic - Republican Party who represented the interests of common men, and farmers. Which is seemingly questionable considering Jefferson was not raised as a common man nor raised as a farmer. Jefferson being an anti-capitalistic he favored subsistence farming, limitations on federal government, maintaining an agrarian society, the support of France (being a Francophile), and strict interpretation of the Constitution. Jefferson was the former secretary of state thus having experience in office so this was nothing new to him. Thomas Jefferson was the type of president who seemed to be liberal. Being a Demo-Republican he was to strictly follow the Constitution; yet he went against the Constitution and bought Louisiana from the French, started an undeclared war with the Barbary Pirates, and sponsored acts like the Nonintercourse and Embargo Act to deal with British and French actions. Thomas Jefferson may have been experienced in the office of treasury but the experience as a president surely was something new. Jefferson was know as a pragmatist he was not tied to any particular philosophical approach on government but instead adjusted to what was going on in that time frame. Jefferson claimed to be a Demo-Republican yet one his most notable achievements was the purchase of Louisiana in 1803. It was sold by Napoleon in need of money to fight the British. For 15 million dollars Jefferson bought Louisiana, which there was not a single clause in the constitution stating buying territory. For some one who believed in a strict constitution he surely did not show it. Even though it was against his so-called beliefs this deal was just too sweet to reject. With this purchase the territory doubled in size. With the size increase of land Jefferson became curious about it, so he called for Lewis and Clark to explore the new found land in order to find out more things about it. After purchasing this new land Jefferson decided that it was time to find out about the massive new land. Jefferson arranged for an expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Jefferson instructions were clear, the arrangement was for William and Clark to find as much as possible about the territory, topographical features as well as gaining all the scientific evidence about the climate, flora and fauna of the western land. Two years preceding Lewis & Clark's instructions of departure they arrived at the Pacific Ocean. The discoveries found during the expedition of Lewis and Clark were large improvements on America's part. During Jefferson's presidential there were a lot of problems that began, starting in the Barbary States (North Africa) where they were seizing international ships and holding their crews for ransom. Jefferson had no navy for the U.S so its ships vulnerable. Instead of forming a navy Jefferson decided to start an undeclared war with the Barbary pirates, ultimately leading to victory for Jefferson in 1815; putting an end to the Barbary pirates. Now Jefferson was a Demo-Republican and they were all about strict Constitution yet, this Barbary was undeclared so this would be against what Jefferson beliefs were. Before Jefferson became president Hamilton already set the Bank of the U.S in order. This Bank went against every thing Jefferson believed in. This Bank of the U.S would aid the capitalist class by extending them credit; which would allowed for expanded economic growth and control the amount of credit a the current time. The Bank of U.S would allow an enormous amount of power to the federal government. This was not in harmony with Jefferson who saw an agrarian future for the nation. Surprisingly Jefferson did not even seek to eliminate the Bank of the Untied States even though it only helped the wealthy and not common people. Despite all the opposition he claimed he had against the Bank, it stayed. The British and French relationship worsened near the end of Jefferson first term. They intensified their relationship so much to the point where they affected American shipping. French controlled most of Britain’s land while Britain still was the head of the sea. As Britain sought to stop lucrative trade between the U.S and France they eventually lead to events that were extremely out of control. The Essex decision (trade closed during peace time and not opened during war), Leopard-Chesapeake Incident (British blew American sailors off their ship), Orders of Council (preventing neutral nations from trading), Berlin Decree, and Milan Decree. With France and Britain going erratic Jefferson decided to throw out some trade acts which were suppose to punish the French and British. The Nonintercourse act of 1806(failed), Embargo act (affect the U.S more than other nations), Nonintercourse act of 1809(no trade with France, Britain, and belligerents) and Macon's Bill No 2. Thomas Jefferson really hurt the U.S with some of the ideas he had like the acts on trade, rather other ideas like buying Louisiana were just genesis. Jefferson did increase the U.S (land wise) but he went against his own doctrines in order to achieve some of those goals. Buying Louisiana, keeping the Bank of the U.S, declaring wars that were suppose to be declared, and setting laws all went against his beliefs of a strict constitution.