Jefferson s Views On Human Nature And The Democratic Ideals

Thomas Jefferson, in his inaugural address, stated that America was, â€Å"A rising nation, spread over a wide and fruitful land, traversing all the seas with the rich productions of their industry†¦advancing rapidly to the destinies beyond the reach of mortal eye...† He was a strong believer in the progressive nature of morality and held an optimistic view of the nature of humanity and human ability. Jefferson believed that all people were equally naturally endowed with the ability to determine right and wrong regardless of their status, and belief that gave him a foundation for his support of democracy. Jefferson believed that since all men had this judgement naturally gifted to them, they were capable of selecting the correct people to lead them and the nation would flourish with liberty. Jefferson’s optimistic faith in human nature and the democratic ideals he formed around its principles guaranteed the future liberty of the United States. Jefferson’s idea of the citizen’s natural moral wisdom convinced him that limited government, where power remained in the hands of the people, was the best structure to ensure America’s freedom. He stated, â€Å"A wise and frugal Government†¦shall leave them [men] otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.† Jefferson pushed for a government with a strict interpretation of the Constitution in order to limit governmental powers to those that wereShow MoreRelatedThe Second President Of The United States953 Words   |  4 PagesThomas Jefferson. He published many works that expressed his views of how to strengthen government in America and put power in the hands of the citizens (Wagoner, 2004, pg.19). 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The one thing that remains the same is that it has always been a struggle to forge a truly American identity given the fact that our nation is one of immigrants. These early works reached the level of literature, as in the robust and perhaps truthful account of his adventures by many literary aspirants such as: Thomas Jefferson, William Bradford,Read MoreThe Declaration Of Independence By Thomas Jefferson1603 Words   |  7 PagesThomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which Congress adopted after revision on July 4th, 1776. It avowed that, â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,† that the government cannot violate. On November 15, 1777 the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation . 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