Thomas Jefferson
- 1. Covering:Notes on the state of virginia& His LettersThomas Jefferson STUDY handEvan R.B. Walker
- 2. OverviewThomas Jefferson was born in 1743His life ended in 1826Jefferson was a live fighterServed in the Continental CongressHe fought for education on moralityIntermixing of Native AmericansSeverely detested coexisting with African-Americans
- 3. The Live FighterIn one of his letters to James Madison, Jefferson publicly disclosed his dislike of the young Americas government and society as a whole: You are willing to feed your federal government such and such powers; but you wish, at the same time, to have such and such fundamental rights secured to you. . . .I am not a friend of a very energetic government. It is always oppressive. These quotes from Notes of the State of Virginia help the reader digest Jeffersons limited government philosophy
- 4. Continental CongressOn his note titled Religion, Jefferson disclosed his sentiment on Church and State: The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it dos me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, nor no gods. Clearly, Jefferson felt strongly on many subjects and was controversial. His opinion on religion howeverin a Christian-dominated society must have hit many faith-trusting cords at the time. But as a member of Congress, he had the power and stature to express his opinions.
- 5. Education on MoralityJefferson thought that morality was as scientific as using someones five senses to observe nature. In a letter he wrote to his nephew Peter Carr, he expressed its importance: This sense is as much a part of nature as the sense of hearing, seeing, feeling; it is the true foundation of morality, & not the truth as fanciful writers have imagined. The moral sense, or conscience , is as much a part of man as his leg or arm.
- 6. Whites + Native Americans is MiscegenationJefferson wanted to mix with Native Americans: In truth, the ultimate point of rest & happiness for them is to let our settlements and theirs meet and blend together, to intermix, and become one people.But interestingly, he thought the opposite of African Americans. . . .
- 7. On NegroesFor example: In Jeffersons Notes on the State of Virginia Jefferson added, The Indians, with no advantages of this kind, will often carve figures on their pipes not destitute of design or merit. . . . But never yet could I find that a black had uttered a thought above the level of plain narration.Clearly these words express part of Jeffersons opinion on blacks. He did not believe blacks could be brought up with whites and it appears as if Jefferson is almost pinning the Native Americans and the African Americans against one anotherfor an uncertain purposebut that is just a thought.