Thomas Jefferson's Impersonal Government

The revolutionary era writers believe the primary goal of America to be a place with an impersonal government. Democracy ensures that capitalism and industry can thrive without the need for a King’s approval. Social classes are penetrable unlike in England, where heredity or oppression decides. And in order to become prosperous as a nation, America cannot continue feeding its sponsor. As Jefferson explains, England gets in the way by imposing British law over the states, interference with legislation and excessive taxation, among other offenses. As Paine argues, the expenses of the taxes will mean debt for coming generations, which will inhibit America from progressing.

Jefferson had to remove the direct criticism of the British people as well as the more aggressive stance against slavery. Others were fearful that if British people were offended by the criticism, it would burn bridges for them. They also felt that this founding document was not the right platform to take up the cause of abolition. These two changes reflect a country that was trying not to step on anyone’s toes.

The dark side to industry and capitalism is the loss of humanity, which in Crevecoeur’s letter is …show more content…
They were committed to Puritanism and their vision of America was a place where communities worked and worshipped side by side. In their writings, they explain that despite their many trials, God delivers them, and will protect their readers too should they choose to join them in America. This vision changes over time with the introduction of industry. Communities become a fusion of different religious beliefs which encourages tolerance and a focus on capitalistic ideals instead of faith. Pre-Revolutionary writers such as Franklin and Jefferson are focused on building a nation that can produce and sustain its own wealth and power. They write about a land absent of tyranny and committed to