how come thomas jefferson is so important?
85339
Jefferson changed the face of the presidency.  In the study of how our government started he was a key factor.  Jefferson thought the government was too powerful at the time he took office.  Jefferson worked to change it with new economic policies.  He reduced government spending through budget management. (a lesson we should take from him now)  He also decreased the size of the government by having government take less of a role in the lives of everyday people like us.  \n\nThis is important for 8th graders to know because there are many things you can learn from Jefferson.  In only four or five years you will be voting in the same elections adults are voting in.   We want you to be informed voters.  We want you to know how to listen for what candidates stand for, decide if you agree with them and make your own choices.  That is why we study any past presidents,  it is to make you consider, is this someone you would have voted for?  If not what would you vote for?  Jefferson and Adams differed in many ways.  Jefferson and Hamilton probably differed even more.  Who would you have voted for?  Look at candidates we have now.  They too have different opinions.  Can you take a position and stand for it?  Can you make an informed decision and vote for the person that will help our country the most?  Start thinking about it now because you will be standing in that voting booth all alone some day and you will have to make the decisions.
105184
When Thomas was older, he decided to be a lawyer. He studied at the college of William and Mary at Williamsburg, which at that time was the capital of Virginia. \n\nEverything you need re: Thomas Jefferson Biography:\n\nwww.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b4tjefferson5vh.htm ·
187904
JUST A FEW SUGGESTIONS SO THAT IT READS A BIT SMOOTHER...(I'M A TEACHER!)\n\nAFTER ONLY seventeen days, Thomas Jefferson finished WRITING the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration stated that men should be created equal, and have some unalienable rights.\nWilliam Pennington's dream was what Jefferson HAD stated in the Declaration of Independence. He wanted to escape from slavery, to the free state of Pennsylvania. If he were to be caught, he would be sent to the far South, never to return. Leaving his loving family, AND FACING MANY OBSTACLES ALONG THE WAY, he finally made it to Pennsylvania, ACHIEVING HIS LIFELONG GOAL OF FREEDOM. \nElizabeth Stanton FELT THAT IT WAS UNFAIR THAT WOMEN HAD FEWER RIGHTS THAN MEN. SHE BELIEVED THAT WOMEN SHOULD BE GUARANTEED THE SAME RIGHTS AS MEN AND USED "THE FIRST WOMENS'S RIGHTS" CONVENTIONS TO VOICE HER HOPES FOR THE FUTURE.\nStanton, Jefferson, and Pennington are famous for being brave, strong and courageous. \n\nMAY HELP, MAY NOT!\nGOOD LUCK
346272
He kept the ragged Continental army together. He avoided a direct encounter with the superior British army. He never had enough men or supplies. This was up until Yorktown.\nHe later presided over the Constitutional Convention. He knew enough to let others who understood finances and government much better than he do their work. By the force of his personality he kept antagonists like Jefferson & Hamilton at bay.
698297
let's see, in 1000 words or less:\n\nJefferson was an architect of our "constitutional republic" and Hamilton was the architect of our economic system. Each of our founding fathers have had various roles in forging the baseline of who and what America is today. Washington was the 'action hero' who led America's armies and then the government out of it's conception (and then dared to turn over power peacefully! Unheard of!) and created precedence for how power is to be handled. Franklin, the man who embodied the ideals of personal drive and creativity and how success can be achieved in our society. You really need to read all about these people and what they did... you just can't type it out here...
51759
I have a dream.  My dream is that one day Thomas Jefferson will rise up out of his grave and p!mpslap GW Bush.  Then he shall spit in the president's face and say, "Listen up, moron.  The end does not justify the means.  Your day-to-day actions add up and affect the big picture.  Sacrifice small liberties today and you're closer to killing freedom tomorrow.  Now go get yourself the complete works of Aristotle and don't come out of your room till you've finished reading them cover to cover."
976168
wikipedia!!!\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_jefferson
1008350
Hamilton was strong central government and industry based. Jefferson was states rights and farming based.
1140440
Many of the answers listed here are incorrect.  Jefferson was the ambassador to France at the time and was living in Paris.  It would have been interesting to see how the constitution would have come out if he had been involved.  \n\nHe was very influencial at the time.  If it had been publicly known that they were going to completely redesign the government he might have been involved.  At the time it was expected that they would just "fix" the articles of confederation.\n\nJefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence, and important document but not one with any actual legal weight.\n\nHope this helps.
27665
Thomas Jefferson lived in France for a period of time following the American Revolution. When he returned, he brought new foods and introduced them to the U.S. Many have since become staples of our culture: macaroni & cheese, ice cream, french fries, for example. \n\nYou could explain the history leading up to Jefferson's time in France, what happened when he was there, give out samples of some of the foods he brought back with him, and talk about the role they play in our everyday lives today.
306467
Here's a trick I've picked up over the years: Link your facts together.\n\nFor example, if you mention Thomas Jefferson, you think of the Declaration of Independence, Alexander Hamilton (his political rival), John Adams (they died on the same day), July 4th (date of death), Louisiana Purchase, the Barbary Wars (linked to Stephen Decatur and the Shores of Tripoli), Monticello, Virginia (his state of birth)...\n\nAnd of course, each link leads to other paths.\n\nAdditionally, remembering stories and anecdotes about people can really help you remember the pertinent facts about them.
1159279
He was brilliant, well educated and sought to constantly test his thinking... a rare (but very human) man.  Perhaps you should read some of the many, many books written on this Founding Father for more insight into the particulars of his life?
477234
Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 N.S. – July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801–1809), principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), and one of the most influential founders of the United States. Major events during his presidency include the Louisiana Purchase (1803), the Embargo Act of 1807, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806).\n\nA political philosopher who promoted classical liberalism, republicanism, and the separation of church and state, he was the author of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1779, 1786), which was the basis of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. He was the eponym of Jeffersonian democracy and the founder and leader of the Democratic-Republican Party which dominated American politics for over a quarter-century and was the precursor to today's Democratic Party. Jefferson also served as the second Governor of Virginia (1779–1781), first United States Secretary of State (1789–1793), and second Vice President (1797–1801).
742237
Jefferson would hate modern politics, especially because during his time, presidents did not campaign, they had people speak for them and there was no bashing of their opponents. Why cant we go back to such wonderful times?
298637
read the Jefferson papers. He wrote the Articals of confederation before he wrote the Constitution. He also was a avaid sponser of the secant amendent. He was a active member of the first contintal congress. and amny other things. He was one of the greatest men in the begining of our nation.
1085908
The same importance as studying any history.  You study history to try and predict the future.
667227
I'm still chuckling at liv2play106's answer -- brilliant!\n\nWithout overthinking this question too much, I'd invite Thomas Jefferson, Winston Churchill and John Lennon. \n\nJefferson was the most impressive intellectual figure of his time (though there were several others worth mentioning) and remains to this day my political idol. While hosting a White House dinner for a group of Nobel laureates, JFK famously referred to the gathering as "the most extraordinary collection of talent and human knowledge that has ever been gathered at the White House -- with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."\n\nChurchill was a brilliant, thoughtful and eloquent man whose ability to inspire and lead the people of Great Britain during the darkest hours of WWII can best be described as sublime. He also happens to be one of the greatest writers and orators, political or otherwise, this world has ever known. Like Jefferson, a towering intellect.\n\nLennon, one of the greatest musicians and songwriters of all time, would be invited to represent someone more or less contemporary and to add some much-needed levity to the occasion. Besides, if we were all very lucky, he might just favour us with a song. Nice. :)