Thomas Jefferson was born in Virginia in 1743. He was the eldest child of a large and privileged family. At the age of 17 he enrolled in the College of William and Mary where he developed his lifelong interest in foreign languages, travel, mathematics, science, philosophy, architecture, and music. This immensely intelligent and multi-faceted man would go on to become one of the most talented presidents in US history. He spoke seven languages, became an accomplished violinist, inventor, and was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, among many other noteworthy accomplishments.
Jefferson was elected as this nations third president in 1800. He would go on to serve two terms as one of Americas most popular presidents. Although he was a wealthy and highly educated politician, he was a man of the people. He was once quoted as saying, “I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.” and his policies reflected this. He attempted
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During Jefferson’s first year in office, France obtained the Louisiana territory from Spain in the secret treaty of San Ildefonso. In an effort to preserve trade, maintain use of the Mississippi river, and prevent France from taking control of this region, Jefferson sent James Monroe to France to barter a deal. The purchase was completed in 1803, doubling the size of the United States and thereby changing the course of American history forever. Following the purchase, Jefferson commissioned the Lewis and Clark expedition which led to new discoveries as well as an interest and stake in what was a mostly unknown region at the time. Economic achievements were also seen with a reduction in public debt and an increase in trade resulting in more funding for education and