Jefferson Suspends Trade with Europe in 1807.
May 23, 2013
Making of a Nation No.34 - Thomas Jefferson Part 5
From VOA Learning English, welcome to The Making of a Nation, our weekly program of American history for people learning English. I’m Steve Ember.
Last time, we talked about the presidential election of 1804. Thomas Jefferson, the nation's third president, was easily re-elected. Jefferson was head of the Democratic-Republican Party, known today as the Democratic Party.
Thomas Jefferson had a very good record during his first term as president. He ended many taxes. He paid government debts. And he gained possession of the huge Louisiana Territory from France without going to war.
His political opponents were the Federalists.
The Federalists were sure Jefferson would win the election of 1804. Still, they were surprised by the strength of his victory.
Jefferson won 162 electoral votes. His Federalist opponent won just 14.
In the early 1800s, Britain and France were at war with each other. The United States remained neutral.
Historian Andrew O’Shaughnessy says President Jefferson did not want to become involved in a war.
“He was sufficiently pro-French that he didn’t want to ally with the British, but not so pro-French that he wanted a war with the British.”
Jefferson also believed getting involved in a European war would destroy all the progress he had made at home. His economic policies had helped to pay much of America’s national debt. And he was able to reduce taxes.
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