The Legacy of Thomas Jefferson

After the Louisiana Territory was in America’s hands, what was She to do with it? Jefferson solved this by authorizing an expedition to explore the newly attained land in 1804. This landmark expedition increased the geographic and scientific knowledge of the territory, strengthened U. During his first term, Jefferson attempted to win the allegiance and trust of Federalists by maintaining the national debt and debt-repayment plan of Hamilton, as well as carrying on neutrality policies. They, along with a Shoshoni woman named Sacajawea, spent two and a half years on the journey traveling to Oregon and the Pacific Ocean before returning in 1806. claims to the Oregon Territory, improved relations with the American Indians, and developed maps and land routes for fur trappers and frontiersmen to settle the territory. Most importantly, however, Jefferson led a “revolution” with the peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans, which showed that a change of administration did not have to involve a disastrous outcome. Although Thomas Jefferson may have created many legacies in his lifetime, these are clearly the most important legacies of his presidency. He also pardoned those serving time under the Sedition Act and enacted a new naturalization law that returned the years needed for immigrants to gain citizenship from fourteen to five.

Had it not been for the peaceful “Revolution of 1800” and Jefferson’s keen ability to prevent disaster, American political parties and concepts today might have been completely different.

In 1802 the Spaniards at New Orleans withdrew the right of deposit guaranteed in the Treaty of 1795. Without the purchase of the Louisiana Territory the size of the United States today may have grown to be no more than the infant size it was in early 1803. He approved a total of $10 million to be spent, but Napoleon offered to sell New Orleans and the Louisiana Territory for $15 million, and the ministers excitedly agreed.