The significance of Thomas Jefferson

THOMAS JEFFERSON

Thomas Jefferson was a significant figure in the colonial American landscape for many reasons. He was an advocate of De Crevecoeur's ideas, sharing and promoting the ideals of self reliance and liberty which have become a part of the American identity. Although, Jefferson managed to relate them to his own image of a progressive and independent America, stepping away from the stagnation of the yeoman farmer De Crevecoeur wrote about. 

Jefferson was a Founding Father of America and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, he was also one of the signers. In continuation he went on to become the second Vice President and third President of America. An illustrious career. 

More importantly though, Jefferson was a champion of Enlightenment and i think this is his most significant accolade.

Jefferson was well versed in many languages and talented in the arts, sciences and politics, he even designed his own house as a classical architect. His multi-talented nature made him an impressive 'American' and allowed him to battle such European sceptics as George Buffon. Also in this period, Jefferson figured out how to cool cholera vaccinations in order to prolong their effectiveness in warm climates and most famously secured the Mississippi basin and Louisiana territory from the three powers in Europe, France, England and Spain. He is said to have doubled the size of America, in one day, for ten cents an acre!

The significance of this advancement is huge, it made America a 'proper' country that could compete with the Europe of its day. Further mapping and documentation of the continent - up to the pacific coast - was carried out by Lewis and Clark and funded by Congress under persuasion of Jefferson and others.

Thomas Jefferson was a man that symbolised democracy and lived as the true 'New American' that both De Crevecoeur and Franklin spoke of in their respective writings. Despite the stain of his dealings and scandal in slavery, Jefferson generally promoted equality and lived for the expansion and furthering of his nation. 

I perceive such ideals to be a part of the culture that twenty-first century Americans embody thus causing them to respect the likes of Jefferson and the other Founding Fathers whom installed them, so deeply, into the American identity.