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Thomas Jefferson


            Ellis wrote this biography in chronological order and he began his study of Thomas Jefferson by taking us back to the days of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. The author doesn't say much about Thomas Jefferson's childhood in Virginia. He gives us a few paragraphs to the era of Jefferson's life but doesn't really go into much detail. Most of the first chapter discusses Thomas Jefferson's role in the Continental Congress and in his writing of the Declaration of Independence.
             Thomas Jefferson had served a two-year term as the governor of Virginia, from 1779 to 1781 and was elected to congress in 1783. A short time later, he was named the United States Minister for France, replacing Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson took his daughters with him, and he absorbed himself in the French culture. Jefferson enjoyed his time in France, although he was not too fond of the monarch system of government.
             In 1790, George Washington appointed Jefferson to become the nation's first Secretary of State, under the new Constitution. He served in this post until 1793. He returned to his beloved Monticello in 1794 at which he resumed his life doing what he liked best, taking care of his farm.
             One of Jefferson's greatest nemeses was Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist who had political ideas that opposed most of Jefferson's ideals. Jefferson was a strong supporter of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and complete and total freedom, with virtually no interference from government what so ever. Hamilton was less trusting of individuals to do things right, and felt that government should be more restrictive. These political differences led to many showdowns between the two men.
             In 1796, Jefferson made his first run for President, against the Federalist John Adams. Jefferson lost the election by just three electoral votes, and became Vice President. Even though his ideas were very clearly different from Adams, he still served as his Vice President.


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