He saw the future of his Fatherland in alliance with Russia. His country was to abandon the ideas of wars of conquest and not indulge racists. Such a romantic was one of the first presidents of the United States.
He is one of the founding fathers of the United States. This man made a contribution to the creation of a new state and demanded the humanization of legislation. Knowing his biography, one can understand that in his decisions he was sincere.
Childhood
Our hero’s father, Peter Jefferson, was a wealthy planter in Virginia. He was an enlightened man, guided by advanced technologies in housekeeping. His wife Jane was related to the chairman of the Continental Congress. In April 1743, a third child appeared in the family, who was given the name Thomas.
When the boy was still very young, his parents inherited the Takkaho estate and moved there. In 1752, Thomas was sent to study at a local school. After 5 years, the eldest Jefferson passed away. He left untold wealth for his 8 children, which allowed each of them to give a good education and not worry about their future. While mother mastered the role of mistress, Tom was transferred to the education of the priest James Mori. The boy was fond of reading classical literature and played the violin well. In 1760, he entered college. There he managed to enter into a secret society and became addicted to wine in the best sense of the word - he began to collect it.
Monticello Manor - a legacy of Thomas Jefferson with a house built on his project
Youth
A talented student after completing the main course underwent an internship with experts in law. In 1767, Mr.. He received the profession of a lawyer and began to pursue a career in law. After 2 years, Thomas Jefferson was elected to the House of Representatives of Virginia. Then he proved himself to be a rebel. The young parliamentarian called a series of laws regarding the colonies barbaric, said that the British Parliament can command at home, and in America, local residents themselves must decide on the improvement of the country.
Relatives did not allow a long time to be a single man with the wealth and status of Jefferson. In 1772, he became the husband of Martha Wales Skelton's widow. The couple so zealously portrayed a happy marriage that they gave birth to 6 children, but they did not experience anything but friendly feelings for each other. The heart of the head of the family belonged to the slave mulatto Sally Hemings, who also gave him descendants.
Thomas Jefferson with his wife Marta
Separatist and freethinker
Jefferson's work on the political structure of the country to his colleagues seemed too radical. They were appreciated by the people, having re-elected politics to Congress in 1775 after the outbreak of the war for independence. The following year, our hero, as a lover of fine literature, was instructed to write the US Declaration of Independence, which he did successfully. The only item that was removed from it before the adoption, related to the abolition of slavery.
Presentation of the draft US Declaration of Independence (1817). Artist John Trumbull
Unable to implement his plans at the state level, Jefferson began to reform the legislation in his native state. In 1779 he was elected governor. The politician expanded the rights and freedoms of fellow citizens and gave several battles to the British, was in their captivity and successfully fled to his own.
Diplomat
In 1785, the daredevil was sent to France to represent the States there. Louis XVI supported the United States to weaken England. Overseas, our hero went with his mistress. In Paris, Thomas met Maria Cosway. He invited Sally, who arrived with him, to remain in Europe as a free person and persuaded his new passion to go overseas with him. Women decided in their own way: Maria refused to leave her homeland, and the mulatto preferred love to freedom. The diplomat did not wait for the revolution - his presence was demanded at home.
Self portrait (1787). Artist Maria Cosway
In America, Jefferson had to put off the problems of his personal life for a while. George Washington appointed him Secretary of State. Soon, he quarreled with Alexander Hamilton. The reason was that the Virginia patriot too zealously defended the financial interests of his native state. As a result, the Democratic Republican Party was founded by Thomas Jefferson.
The president
Thomas Jefferson succeeded in taking the presidency in 1800. He reduced the size of the army, arguing that the United States would not attack anyone, and the militia could defend the Fatherland, the slave trade was significantly limited, and taxes on farmers were reduced. The head of state took care of the comfort of his residence - our hero was fond of architecture. In his spare time, the president was engaged in literary work, editing the New Testament.
Portrait of Jefferson (1800). Artist Rembrant Peel
Events in France interested Jefferson, he approved the overthrow of the monarchy, and later the accession to the throne of Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1803, a Corsican offered the US ambassador a deal to buy land. Paris offered to redeem its colony to Louisiana. Jefferson gave the go-ahead, and his colleagues were not thrilled, because the new possessions were no less than the purchasing country. Around the same time, the president began correspondence with the Russian emperor. Soon, Alexander I and Thomas Jefferson became friends.
