Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
10
Wise Men Raised Up Week 4
Where is the Hand of the Lord?
What does the Declaration mean?
What is the background of Thomas Jefferson?
How did Jefferson fight the Revolution?
What did Jefferson think of the Constitution?
Understandings
Understandings
WMRU, Pages 31-50
Thomas Jefferson
Basic Biographical Facts
Episode 1
The Young Thomas Jefferson
Born: April 13, 1743 in Shadwell, VA
Went to William and Mary at 16
After a long and warm contest the resolutions passed by a very small majority, perhaps of one or two only. The alarm spread throughout America with astonishing quickness, and the Ministerial party were overwhelmed. The great point of resistance to British taxation was universally established in the colonies. This brought on the war which finally separated the two countries and gave independence to ours. Whether this will prove a blessing or a curse, will depend upon the use our people make of the blessings which a gracious God hath bestowed on us. If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of a contrary character, they will be miserable. Righteousness alone can exalt them as a nation. Reader! whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practise virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.
--Patrick Henry, 1765
Early Years
Studied 15 hours a day (plus 3 more on the violin)
Graduated in 1767
Shadwell Fire
Jefferson the Founder
The Declaration
The Founder
A Summary View of the Rights of British America
Martha (died 1782)
Ambassador
Vice President (1796), then President (1800)
Presidency and Aftermath
Louisiana Purchase
The President
Break with Adams
Monticello
Jefferson the Rock Star
The Declaration of Independence
American Scripture?
Episode 2
Part 1 A
Part 1
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Philosophy
Part 1 B
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
Part 1 C
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
Part 1 D
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
The Causes
Ignoring our laws and imposing his own
Judges and Officers without our consent
Part 2
Armies and navies used against us
He doesn't listen
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;
and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Part 3
Jefferson and Revolution
Not every hero carries a rifle
Episode 3
The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy, but cannot disjoin them.
Writing
Rights of Englishmen
Declaration
Writing
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Almighty God hath created the mind free, and manifested his supreme will that free it shall remain by making it altogether insusceptible of restraint; ...all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments...are a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, who being lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Almighty power to do, but to extend it by its influence on reason alone;
Governor of Virginia
No militia
Burned plantation
Governing
Narrow escape
Ministry to France
Was in Paris during the storming of the Bastille
Supported the French Revolution (for a while)
Negotiating
Called home to be Secretary of State, then VP, and finally President
Jefferson and the Constitution
Not everyone agreed with it
Episode 4
Federalists and anti-Federalists
Pro-Constitution Arguments
Federalists and anti-Federalists
Anti-Constitution Arguments
Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments
Bill of Rights
Jefferson's quotes
Arguments
I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: That “all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States or to the people.” To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition.