Jefferson had a clear idea of what kind of country America should be; he argued that in order for America to survive as a truly independent and self-sufficient country, it should be an agrarian republic. Agrarian republicanism emphasizes the idea that the only way for people to be truly independent, free, and to have liberty is to allow them to care for themselves by means of agriculture and meeting their own needs independently. Jefferson did not care for the concept of an industrial economy because he felt that that put a level of dependence on the market, government, and other profit-seeking parties amongst average citizens. In order for an agrarian republic to flourish, Jefferson believed that government needed to take as small of a role as possible in order to ensure little everyday conflict with its people.
There were, however, forces against Jefferson’s ideological utopia. For instance, many people, like John Tallmadge, were arguing for the growing desire for the emancipation of slaves. The popularity of slavery had decreased dramatically since the American fight for independence. This trend contributed to the growing support for slavery to be abolished. Tallmadge wrote, “... the further introduction of slavery or involuntary servitude …show more content…
He knew that to truly be a country that prides itself on freedom and liberty, it cannot possibly also turn a blind eye to slavery. Jefferson knew that in order to fulfill the American promise of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, slavery could not possibly continue to thrive. However, the emancipation of slaves in all states would surely be the destruction of the union from the inside-out. This caused Jefferson great distress; it was not too long before that America had earned its freedom, and he could not bear the thought that within the course of two generations, America, and every principle that she had been founded for, had already met her sure
There were, however, forces against Jefferson’s ideological utopia. For instance, many people, like John Tallmadge, were arguing for the growing desire for the emancipation of slaves. The popularity of slavery had decreased dramatically since the American fight for independence. This trend contributed to the growing support for slavery to be abolished. Tallmadge wrote, “... the further introduction of slavery or involuntary servitude …show more content…
He knew that to truly be a country that prides itself on freedom and liberty, it cannot possibly also turn a blind eye to slavery. Jefferson knew that in order to fulfill the American promise of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, slavery could not possibly continue to thrive. However, the emancipation of slaves in all states would surely be the destruction of the union from the inside-out. This caused Jefferson great distress; it was not too long before that America had earned its freedom, and he could not bear the thought that within the course of two generations, America, and every principle that she had been founded for, had already met her sure