Malcolm Rivera
Thomas Jefferson believed that the US Constitution should be reviewed and updated every 19 to 20 years. In a letter to James Madison, Jefferson questioned whether one generation of men has a right to bind another and concluded that a constitution should lapse after every generation. Jefferson's reasoning was based on the belief that the earth belongs to the living and not to the dead, and that each new generation should have the right to adapt its government to changing circumstances. He also acknowledged that the leaders of the revolution were more focused on eliminating anything associated with monarchy than on creating a functioning republic. While Jefferson's views on the Constitution have been well-documented, he refused to allow the publication of his views, suggesting he did not want to participate in controversies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson's opinion on the constitution | Jefferson believed that the constitution should be changed every 19 to 20 years |
| Reasoning | Jefferson believed that governments need to adapt to survive and that a new generation should have the right to adapt its government to changing circumstances instead of being ruled by the past |
| Jefferson's opinion on the sanctity of the constitution | Jefferson warned against regarding the constitution as sacred and beyond amendment |
| Jefferson's opinion on the binding nature of the constitution | Jefferson questioned whether one generation could bind another to a constitution or laws they did not agree to |
| Jefferson's opinion on the role of the living generation | Jefferson believed that "the earth belongs to the living generation" and that they should not be bound by the decisions of their ancestors |
| Jefferson's opinion on the necessity of violent conflict | While Jefferson mentioned Shays' Rebellion in a letter, he did not regard violent conflict as intrinsically necessary |
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What You'll Learn
- Jefferson believed the US Constitution could last forever if regularly amended
- Jefferson's reasoning was based on the era's mortality rate
- Jefferson's views were influenced by the French Revolution
- Jefferson's beliefs were rooted in his conviction that governments need to adapt to survive
- Jefferson's idea of collecting voices was to ensure each generation had a say
Jefferson believed the US Constitution could last forever if regularly amended
Thomas Jefferson believed that the US Constitution could last forever if regularly amended. In a letter to James Madison, Jefferson questioned whether "one generation of men has a right to bind another", suggesting that a constitution should be revised every 19 years, based on the era's mortality rate. He argued that the earth "belongs to the living generation", and that a dynamic society requires periodic constitutional revisions to avoid being constrained by an outdated social contract.
Jefferson's views on the US Constitution were influenced by his experiences with the French Revolution. In a letter written shortly before his death in 1824, he stated that the Constitution could last perpetually if it were regularly amended to reflect new developments in science and society. This idea of regular amendment was based on his belief that governments need to adapt to survive. He recognised that the leaders of the American Revolution were focused on eliminating monarchical associations rather than establishing a functional republic.
Jefferson's proposal for periodic constitutional revision was not limited to state constitutions. He asserted that any constitution, including the American Constitution, should be revised every 19 to 20 years to allow each new generation to adapt its government to changing circumstances. This belief was reflected in his response to Samuel Kercheval's letter regarding proposals to revise the Virginia Constitution. Jefferson's response indicated his support for constitutional amendment, despite his refusal to allow Kercheval to publish his views.
Jefferson's argument for regular constitutional revision was based on the principle that laws and institutions must evolve alongside societal progress. He compared adhering to an outdated constitution to a man wearing a coat he wore as a boy, emphasising the need for change. However, he also warned against treating the Constitution as too sacred to be touched, acknowledging that some individuals hold constitutions in high reverence. Despite his support for periodic revision, Jefferson did not advocate for violent conflict as a means of achieving change, as seen in his perspective on Shays' Rebellion.
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Jefferson's reasoning was based on the era's mortality rate
Thomas Jefferson believed that the constitution should be changed every 19 to 20 years. This belief was based on the era's mortality rate. In a letter to James Madison, Jefferson questioned whether "one generation of men has a right to bind another". He concluded that a constitution should lapse after every generation, or every 19 years, since it was first signed and ratified.
Jefferson's reasoning was based on the idea that the "earth belongs to the living and not to the dead". This meant that previous generations could not bind the current generation to their debts, occupations, or laws. He believed that a dynamic society needed a periodic constitutional review, or else it would be "suffocated by an out-of-date social contract". In a letter to his closest friend, James Madison, Jefferson declared that "laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind". He compared following an outdated constitution to "requiring a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy".
Jefferson's belief in the importance of periodic political change extended beyond state constitutions. He asserted that a majority of adults would likely be dead in approximately 19 years, so a new generation should have the right to adapt its government to changing circumstances instead of being ruled by the past. This idea is reflected in his response to Samuel Kercheval's proposal to amend the Virginia state constitution. Jefferson responded favourably, acknowledging that the leaders of the revolution in 1776 were focused on eliminating anything associated with a monarchy rather than creating a functioning republic.
Jefferson's views on the constitution were shaped by his experiences during the French Revolution, which broke out the same year the U.S. Constitution was ratified. He believed that the constitution could last perpetually if it were regularly amended to reflect new developments in science and society. This is evident in his statement that "the earth belongs always to the living generation". Jefferson's concern was to ensure that everyone in a generation had their voices heard and that the constitution was not considered "too sacred to be touched".
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Jefferson's views were influenced by the French Revolution
Thomas Jefferson's views on amending the constitution were influenced by the French Revolution. As the American Minister to the Court of Versailles, Jefferson witnessed the early stages of the French Revolution in the late 1780s. He saw the revolutionaries' commitment to enlightenment principles of representative government and egalitarianism, which resonated with his own beliefs.
In 1791, Jefferson supported the publication of Thomas Paine's "The Rights of Man," a pamphlet endorsing the French Revolution. This act brought the ideological issues of the French Revolution into American politics. Jefferson's support for the revolution continued even as it turned violent, with the storming of the Bastille in July 1792 and the execution of French aristocrats, including King Louis XVI, in 1793. While some Americans, particularly Federalists, were horrified by the violence, Jefferson remained committed to the cause, believing that the United States had a legal obligation to support France under the Franco-American Treaty of Alliance signed in 1778.
Jefferson's experiences during the French Revolution may have shaped his perspective on the importance of regular constitutional review. He understood the need for change and reform, especially in eliminating anything associated with monarchy and establishing a functioning republic. This may have influenced his view that constitutions should be amended to reflect the needs and voices of each new generation.
In his correspondence, Jefferson expressed his belief that the men of the preceding age should not be deemed too sacred to be touched, and that their work could be amended. He valued the experience of governing over book-reading, suggesting a practical approach to constitutional amendments. However, Jefferson also recognised the challenges of ensuring that everyone in a generation has their voice heard during the amendment process.
Overall, Jefferson's experiences during the French Revolution, witnessing the desire for reform and the commitment to enlightenment principles, likely influenced his views on the importance of regularly reviewing and updating constitutions to reflect the changing needs and values of the people.
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Jefferson's beliefs were rooted in his conviction that governments need to adapt to survive
Thomas Jefferson's beliefs were rooted in his conviction that governments need to adapt to survive. He asserted that a constitution should be revised every 19 to 20 years, expressing a deep-rooted conviction that governments must adapt to remain relevant and effective. Jefferson, who helped write Virginia's original state constitution, recognised the need for periodic political change. In a letter to Samuel Kercheval in 1816, he stated that a constitution should be revised every 19 to 20 years, based on the era's mortality rate. Jefferson argued that a new generation should have the right to shape its government to suit its needs and circumstances, rather than being bound by the decisions of the past.
Jefferson's views on the adaptability of governments extended beyond state constitutions. He believed that any constitution, including the American Constitution, had a limited lifespan and needed periodic revision. In a letter to James Madison in 1789, Jefferson questioned whether "one generation of men has a right to bind another" with a constitution or laws they did not create. He concluded that constitutions and laws naturally expire after approximately 19 years, as he wrote, "the earth belongs always to the living generation". This idea was further emphasised in his statement, "we might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors".
Jefferson's conviction that governments need to adapt to survive was shaped by his experiences and observations. He witnessed the French Revolution and the subsequent creation of a new constitution in France, which likely influenced his beliefs about the need for periodic constitutional change. Additionally, he recognised the challenges faced by the young nation, such as Shays' Rebellion, and understood the importance of a flexible and responsive government.
Jefferson's ideas about the adaptability of governments were not without controversy. Some viewed constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, deeming them too sacred to be altered. However, Jefferson argued against this notion, stating that constitutions should not be considered beyond amendment. He recognised the wisdom of the preceding age but believed that their experience in government, though valuable, was not infallible. Jefferson's proposal for periodic constitutional revision was based on his understanding of the changing needs of society and his desire to ensure that governments remained responsive to the people they served.
Jefferson's conviction that governments need to adapt to survive remains relevant today. In a constantly evolving society, the need for governments to be flexible and responsive to the needs and circumstances of their citizens is more important than ever. While the process of amending constitutions may vary, the underlying principle of adapting to survive is a cornerstone of effective governance. Jefferson's ideas continue to influence political thought and shape the way we approach constitutional reform and the role of government in the modern world.
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Jefferson's idea of collecting voices was to ensure each generation had a say
Thomas Jefferson believed that the constitution should be rewritten every 19 to 20 years. This was based on the era's mortality rate, as he reasoned that a new generation should have the right to adapt its government to changing circumstances instead of being ruled by the past. Jefferson's idea of collecting voices was to ensure each generation had a say. He wanted to prevent a situation where a constitution was amended by calling a constitutional convention, but not everyone in a generation had their voice heard.
Jefferson's belief in the importance of periodic political change extended beyond state constitutions. He argued that a dynamic society like the United States needed regular constitutional revisions to avoid being stifled by an outdated social contract. "Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind," he wrote. He compared adhering to an old constitution to "requiring a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy."
Jefferson's views on the matter were expressed in an 1816 letter to Virginia lawyer Samuel Kercheval, in which he discussed the idea of calling a convention to revise the state's constitution. He also acknowledged that, in 1776, the leaders of the revolution were more focused on eliminating anything associated with monarchy than on creating a well-functioning republic. However, Jefferson refused to give Kercheval permission to publish his views, indicating that he no longer wished to participate in controversies.
Jefferson's belief that each generation should have its say is further evidenced by his statement to his closest friend, James Madison: "The earth belongs to the living generation." This idea was also expressed in a letter to Madison shortly after the French Revolution, in which Jefferson questioned whether "one generation of men has a right to bind another." He concluded that any constitution or law naturally expires after 19 years, as no generation can bind another to a perpetual constitution or law.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Thomas Jefferson believed that the US Constitution should be updated or revised every 19 to 20 years. He expressed this view in an 1816 letter to Virginia lawyer Samuel Kercheval.
Jefferson believed that governments need to adapt to survive and that a new generation should have the right to adapt its government to changing circumstances instead of being ruled by the past. He also thought that the earth belongs to the living generation and that no society can make a perpetual constitution.
Yes, Jefferson's belief in the importance of periodic political change extended beyond the US Constitution to include state constitutions as well. He responded favorably to Samuel Kercheval's proposal to amend the Virginia state constitution.
