Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

296

monticello

Jefferson was a self-taught architect, and he

built his home, monticello (above), on a hilltop

near charlottesville, VA. inside were several of

Jefferson’s own inventions, including a swivel chair,

and an indoor weathervane connected to the roof.

louisiAnA purchAse

one of the most important achievements

of Jefferson’s presidency was the purchase

of the louisiana territory from France in

1803, which doubled the size of the united

states. Jefferson had always encouraged

westward expansion. he sent meriwether

lewis and William clark on their famous

expedition (1804-08) from the missouri

river across the rockies to the pacific.

president

thomas Jefferson served as secretary

of state under George Washington and

vice president under John Adams. in

1800, he was nominated for president,

but the result was a tie. After a vote in

congress, Jefferson was named president

the following year. in his first term, he

worked to reduce the government’s

national role. he tried to make the

presidency less formal, asking guests

to shake his hand instead of bowing.

he was elected to a second term in

1804, and managed to maintain the

united states’ neutrality while the

napoleonic wars raged in europe.

Before the

Louisiana

purchase, the

United States

stretched from

the Atlantic

coast to the

Mississippi River.

Louisiana

Territory

Jefferson holds

the Declaration

of Independence.

1743 Born in shadwell, VA.

1767 Begins law practice.

1776 Writes the declaration

of independence.

1785 serves as minister

to France.

1789 Appointed us

secretary of state.

1796 elected vice president.

1801 Begins first of two

terms as president.

1819 Founds the university

of Virginia.

1826 dies at monticello.

thomas

Jefferson

American revolution

declaration of independence

united states, history of

Find out more

pAtriot

Jefferson joined the Virginia legislature in 1769,

and soon became one of those patriots leading

the fight for fair representation in Britain. in

1775 and 1776, he was chosen as delegate

to the continental congress. Because

of his knowledge of the law and

his clear writing skills, he was

asked to draft the declaration

of independence.

CANADA

MEXICO

the Author oF the declArAtion oF independence and the

third president of the united states, thomas Jefferson helped to shape the

American spirit. Born in Virginia, Jefferson began his career as a lawyer.

At 25 he joined the Virginia legislature, where he became a leading voice for

colonial self-rule. in 1776, Jefferson wrote the declaration of independence;

its adoption led to the American revolution. he took up a diplomatic post

in paris, France, in 1784. in 1801, Jefferson was elected to the first of two

terms as president. Jefferson’s policies were shaped by his belief in the

right of people

to govern

themselves.

Benjamin Franklin (left), John

Adams (center), and Thomas

Jefferson (right) study the

Declaration of Independence.

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