THOMAS JEFFERSON

Accomplishments & Work

• main author of the Declaration of Imdependence
• minister of France in 1785-1789
• governor of Virginia in 1779
• appointed secretary of state by Pres. Washington
• inaugurated as President in 1801

Legacy

• Declaration of Independence
• 3rd President of the U.S.
• Louisiana Purchase

Declaration of Independence

• appointed to a five-person committee for drafting
• main author --> wrote the first draft in 1776
• wrote statements considering the colonists' rights
• retained his prominent role in writing the declaration

Louisiana Purchase

• all the lands west of the Mississippi River
• originally controlled by France and later by Spain
• given back to France in 1800 after war between the two
• French presence blocked westward movement by U.S.
• problems with French control of Louisiana Territory

LOUISIANA PURCHASE

• Jefferson decides to buy the Louisiana Territory
• Congress debates the issue (lots of money involved)
• Napoleon agrees to sell ALL of the Louisiana Territory
• His price: $15 million.
• Jefferson wins the Louisiana Territory

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