Name Class Date

Enlightenment and Revolution Biography

Thomas Jefferson
1743–1826

WHY HE MADE HISTORY Along with his

many important contributions to American
history, Thomas Jefferson is best known as
an outstanding president and as the author
of the Declaration of Independence.

As you read the biography below, think about

how Thomas Jefferson’s many talents helped him
achieve fame in many different fields.
© Independence National Historical
Thomas Jefferson was born in Virginia in 1743. Park Collection

After graduating from college, Jefferson studied

VOCABULARY
law, but his talents covered an astonishing number
chamber music recital
of fields. in a private room or
In the field of architecture, Jefferson designed the auditorium for a small
Virginia State Capitol, the University of Virginia, audience
and his own home, Monticello. Jefferson stimulated
the development of art and music in the United
States. He even played the violin in chamber music
concerts.
As president of the American Philosophical
Society, Jefferson promoted scientific and intellectual
research. His collection of more than 6,400 books
was donated to the Library of Congress. Jefferson
developed the decimal system for U.S. money,
wrote a Manual of Parliamentary Procedure, and
even invented a decoding device, a lap desk, and an
improved plow.
Jefferson was America’s most powerful advocate
of liberty. Even though he was shy, disliked public
speaking, and preferred family and home to public
life, it was in the field of politics that Jefferson made
his most notable contributions to his country.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

8 Enlightenment and Revolution

5635_MSH_Biography_Ch17.indd 8 6/28/05 2:04:59 PM

Name Class Date

Thomas Jefferson, continued Biography

Jefferson entered politics in the Virginia

legislature. He led the patriot group that opposed
the authority of the English Parliament over the
colonies. Jefferson’s writings identified him as
a leading defender of American independence.
During his appointment to the Second Continental
Congress in 1775, Jefferson wrote the Declaration of
Independence.
After this Jefferson returned to the Virginia
legislature, where he tried to make his words a
reality both in the legislature and later as governor
of Virginia. Jefferson later served as minister to
France and was sympathetic to the French
Revolution. He returned to the United States in
1789 and, under President George Washington,
became the first secretary of state in charge of
foreign policy.
Although the United States maintained a policy
of neutrality toward the conflict between the British
and the French, Jefferson personally favored the
French, arguing that the United States owed loyalty
to France for its help during the war for
independence. He also shared the republican
ideals of the French Revolution, which caused
conflict with some other American leaders such
as Alexander Hamilton.
Jefferson became vice president under John
Adams. In domestic policy, Jefferson was opposed
to a strong central government and championed
the rights of the individual states. He argued that
federal control was like going back to colonial times
when the British Parliament controlled the colonies.
Jefferson opposed all government actions to
maximize federal power, such as the creation of a
national bank and the Alien Act, which placed
limitations on immigrants, and the Sedition Act,
which prohibited the publication of any writing
that might cause opposition to government policies.
He opposed any actions that limited the rights of
the states or individuals.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
9 Enlightenment and Revolution
Name Class Date

Thomas Jefferson, continued Biography

Joining others who believed as he did, Jefferson

led the Republican movement, which was the origin
of what is now the Democratic Party. This marked
the beginning of two separate parties—the
Federalists, who wanted a strong central government,
and the Republicans, who favored state rights.
In 1796 Jefferson became the third president
of the United States. As president he took steps to
reduce federal power, the army, navy, and federal
taxes. His most important achievement as president
was the Louisiana Purchase, in which the huge
Louisiana region was acquired from France.
Jefferson retired to his home, Monticello, in
1809 and spent the next 17 years until his death
working on his architectural projects including the
University of Virginia, which in 1976 was declared
by the American Institute of Architects to be “the
proudest achievement of American architecture in
the past 200 years.”

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

1. Recall What was Thomas Jefferson’s most important achievement as president?

2. Contrast What was the main difference between the Federalist and the
Republican parties?

ACTIVITY
Research the philosophies of government of Thomas Jefferson and
Alexander Hamilton, and write a paper citing the differences between
the two. Check out articles about both Jefferson and Hamilton by
visiting go.hrw.com. Just go to the section on American History under
Social Studies.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

10 Enlightenment and Revolution
Enlightenment and Revolution Answer Key

Vocabulary Builder Biography

Section 1 Mary Wollstonecraft
1. the Age of Reason WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
2. a social gathering held to discuss ideas 1. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
3. a non-religious movement was about women’s rights to formal
4. Mary Wollstonecraft education.
5. Voltaire 2. Accept reasonable answers.
6. Enlightenment
7. secular Biography Charles Louis
8. Adam Smith
9. Denis Diderot Montesquieu
10. salon WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. The three classifications of government in
Vocabulary Builder Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws are; the
republic, based on virtue; monarchy, based
Section 2 on honor; and despotism, based on fear.
1. true 2. Possible answers: The aspects of
2. false—John Locke argued for government Montesquieu’s thinking that may have
as a contract between the ruler and influenced the American Constitution
the people. are his belief in the importance of human
3. false—Charles Louis Montesquieu dignity and the evils of despotism,
believed that a government should be slavery and intolerance. He argued that
divided into separate bodies, or branches, government should be divided into three
to protect people’s freedom. separate powers; legislative, executive,
4. false—Benjamin Franklin argued against and judicial working independently of
“taxation without representation” when each other.
he addressed Parliament’s House of
Commons stating that the colonists had Biography
no representative in Parliament.
5. true Thomas Jefferson
6. true WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
7. true 1. Jefferson’s most important achievement as
president was the Louisiana Purchase.
Vocabulary Builder 2. Possible Answer: The main difference
between the Federalist and the Republican
Section 3 parties was that the Federalists wanted
1. regime a strong central government while the
2. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Republicans wanted a decentralized
the Citizen government with strong individual
3. English Bill of Rights state rights.
4. Declaration of Independence
5. Bastille
6. First Continental Congress
7. unalienable
8. Articles of Confederation
9. U.S. Constitution
10. Magna Carta; English Bill of Rights

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

35 Enlightenment and Revolution