What was Thomas Jefferson's legacy and how was he and idealist?

He wrote the Declaration of Independence himself and helped to frame the constitution (along with the other founding fathers).

He was also an accomplished building architect (Monticello), known to be a brilliant writer, diplomat and politician. Many of his letters are still available to day online and at the Smithsonian, you should take a read. He also smartly bought the Louisiana/Southeast US region from the French for a song while President. Good deal if you ask me.

How was he an idealist? Common sense man... He believed in freedom from tyranny and oppression. He believed in a government by and for the people. This was a new experiment in the world at that time, I'd say you'd have to be pretty idealistic to dare dream that kind fo thing in a time when just about every other country had a king/queen and the odds were longly stacked against your rag-tag militia army vs. the greatest military power at the time (Great Britain).

Ironically he was a slave owner... and was even "married" (not legally of course.. in love more like) to one particular slave girl named Sally. Records indicate he was kind to his slaves, but they were still slaves none the less. This stains the history of our nation to this day, but most would still consider him one of the greatest Americans to ever live.

Legacy Of Thomas Jefferson

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Accurate. That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves. Thomas Jefferson The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind. Thomas Jefferson "Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have. The course of history shows us that as a government grows, liberty decreases." — Thomas Jefferson

The "idealist" part is fairly clear: He was a slave-owner who wrote beautifully about the equality of all men. He was a champion of democracy who also believed that voting should be a priviledge reserved for educated land-owners.

And thus the "legacy"...Jefferson is the Patron Saint of the modern Democratic concept of the "Benevolent Aristocracy"...where the "best and brightest" should bear responsibility for those of less-fortunate birth...the main problem today is that "best and brightest" is often a self-appointed title and sometimes the "less-fortunate" are given everything they want, but not necessarily what they need.

He got us the Louisiana Purchase.