Imagine a life without freedom of religion. Imagine a country without Wyoming, Washington, Idaho, and the rest of the western states obtained from the Louisiana Purchase. Without Thomas Jefferson, it is very hard to imagine where our nation would be today. As the creator of the Declaration of Independence, and author of many other early writings that shaped our nation, Thomas Jefferson is responsible for a great amount of rights and properties we are privileged to be a part of today.Jefferson was a man of education that spent a great majority of his time learning to read Greek, Latin, and play the violin as a child rather than engage in activities of the average young boy. Soon Jefferson ...view middle of the document...
After the creation of the declaration of independence, Jefferson took interest in freedom of religion. Jefferson?s fight for religious freedom was deeply rooted in his passionate conviction for the human mind must be free and that the truth must not be coerced (Patterson 41). The bill for religious freedom was eventually passed in 1786 and instantly became his proudest accomplishment. Jefferson thought that under no circumstance should the government interfere with the right to worship (Patterson 41). Jefferson?s involvement as an author was the key to much of his success and leader of our nation. Even though Jefferson dealt with hardships in the deaths of family members, injury, and humiliation, Jefferson continued to pursue politics and government for a large portion of his life.Before many of Jefferson?s accomplishments as an author (including the Declaration), he was involved with the Virginia Legislator and entered the Virginia House of Burgesses (Schlesinger 2). In 1779 Jefferson was appointed to war governor in the revolutionary war. While he was the governor, Jefferson was humiliated when the British invaded. Jefferson was said to be the cause of defeat and was exonerated. After his exoneration, he resigned his position as a Virginian Legislature, turned down an opportunity to serve in the continental congress, and was injured on his horse to add to humiliation. Bouncing back into politics soon after his wife died, Jefferson was elected to the New Congress. In 6 months Jefferson had accomplished the drafting of 31 important papers (Patterson 47). He also devised the plan that provided self government for the western territories and established the procedure for them to become states (Patterson 47-48). Being annoyed with congress, Jefferson gladly accepted an invitation to make treaties with the nations of Europe from Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Jefferson became respected in France along with winning much respect for the United States. While in his stay in France, Jefferson became the American Ambassador while helping the French into a better and new constitution. After five years of stay in Europe, Jefferson fled back to America to spend time back at home in Monticello with intensions of returning soon one day. When Jefferson returned he was appointed to Secretary of State by George Washington. Jefferson didn?t want to accept the position, but his friend Madison convinced him that the new government of the country needed him (Patterson 54). Jefferson began his project with the creation of weights and measures for country and became involved with his bitter relationship towards Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson wanted to end his position after Washington?s first term, but was convinced to stay. Jefferson?s last act as Secretary of state was a letter to the French government explaining the problem with the French government and the problem with the French ambassador Edmond Genet. After Jefferson resigned from his position as Secreta...
