Dbq Thomas Jefferson Analysis

Thomas Jefferson served as the first Democratic Republican leader of the United States beginning in 1801. His goal, to accomplish the Republican Mission, faced multiple challenges. In rough times, he had to enforce decisions that were against his principles of peace, strict construction, and power given to the government. Jefferson altered his philosophy when he battled Tripoli in 1801, purchased Louisiana without approval from the Congress in 1803, and established the Embargo Act of 1807. One of the main principles of a Jeffersonian was peace. In Document H, it says “A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another.” Jefferson followed his philosophy when he reduced the military to a police force of 2,500 officers and men. In the North African Barbary States, pirates blackmailed and plundered merchant ships that headed towards the mediterranean. War spread across the Atlantic and Jefferson was forced to battle the Tripoli. The war ended in 1805 after Jefferson signed a treaty of peace. …show more content…
A man named Monroe was sent to Paris to buy New Orleans and land to its east in 1803. He was advised to spend no more than $10 million but Napoleon offered him a compromise he could not refuse. Napoleon would give the entire territory to America for only $15 million. Jefferson understood that spending more than $10 was against the Congress but he continued with Napoleon's deal. In Document F, Jefferson says “And in any view is not better that the opposite bank of the Mississippi should be settled by our own brethren and children than by strangers of another family?” Jefferson signed 3 treaties and paid $15 million for New Orleans and land to the west of it. The Louisiana Territory finally belonged to the United