Malcolm Rivera
Thomas Jefferson, one of the original authors of the US Constitution, believed that the document should not be regarded as sacred and unchangeable. In a letter to Samuel Kercheval in 1816, Jefferson wrote that the constitution should be rewritten every 19 or 20 years to keep up with the progress of the human mind and the changing circumstances of a dynamic society. He argued that laws and institutions must advance alongside societal development, or else risk being suffocated by an outdated social contract. Jefferson's views on the constitution and his belief in the importance of personal liberties have sparked debates about how he would approach issues in the modern-day constitution, such as the Electoral College and the impeachment clause.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson's opinion on the US Constitution | Jefferson believed that the US Constitution should be periodically revised to keep up with the progress of the human mind and societal changes. He saw it as a living document, not a static one, and wanted to ensure that it remained relevant and effective for each new generation. |
| Jefferson's view on the sanctity of the Constitution | Jefferson warned against treating the Constitution as sacred and unchangeable. He believed that it should be adaptable and open to amendment to suit the needs of a dynamic society. |
| Jefferson's solution to an outdated Constitution | Jefferson suggested that the Constitution be torn up and rewritten every 19 or 20 years to keep it in line with the times and prevent it from becoming claustrophobic or suffocated by outdated principles. |
| Jefferson's influence on the Constitution | Jefferson advocated for a written "bill of rights" to accompany the Constitution, guaranteeing personal liberties such as freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. He also played a role in convincing James Madison to introduce a bill of rights into the First Congress, which resulted in the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights in 1791. |
| Jefferson's practical advice on the Constitution | Jefferson's advice was sought when it came to writing a new constitution or revising the existing one. He believed in the importance of each new generation having the right to choose the form of government that best suited their needs and promoted their happiness. |
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What You'll Learn
- Thomas Jefferson believed the US Constitution should be rewritten every 19-20 years
- Jefferson's views were informed by his work on the Virginia state constitution
- Jefferson's ideas about the Constitution were influenced by his time in France
- Jefferson's correspondence with James Madison helped convince Madison to introduce a bill of rights
- Jefferson's views on the Constitution were shaped by his belief in limited government
Thomas Jefferson believed the US Constitution should be rewritten every 19-20 years
Thomas Jefferson believed that the US Constitution should be rewritten every 19 or 20 years. In a letter to Samuel Kercheval on July 12, 1816, Jefferson wrote:
> "I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as a civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."
Jefferson's words were in response to Kercheval's inquiry about revising and amending the Virginia state constitution, of which Jefferson was one of the original authors. In his letter, Jefferson expressed his belief that constitutions should not be regarded as sacred and unchangeable, but rather as living documents that must evolve alongside societal progress. He warned against treating the Constitution with "sanctimonious reverence", arguing that it should be periodically revised to avoid being constrained by an outdated social contract.
Jefferson's suggestion for addressing a restrictive constitution was to rewrite it every 19 or 20 years, allowing each new generation to choose the form of government they believe will best promote their happiness. He recognized the right of each generation to amend and repair the constitution as they saw fit, ensuring that the document remained dynamic and adaptable to the changing needs and opinions of society.
Jefferson's views on the Constitution and its role in governance were shaped by his principles of limited government intervention and protection of individual liberties. He advocated for a weak national government, achieved through reduced federal budgets and taxes, while safeguarding citizens' freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Jefferson's influence extended to the inclusion of a written "bill of rights" in the Constitution, which guaranteed these personal liberties and established a framework for governing the nation.
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Jefferson's views were informed by his work on the Virginia state constitution
Thomas Jefferson believed that the US Constitution should not be regarded as sacred writ. In a letter to Samuel Kercheval on July 12, 1816, he wrote:
> "Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment."
Jefferson believed that a dynamic society like that of the US needed periodic constitutional revision lest it be "suffocated by an out-of-date social contract". He wrote:
> "Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. [...] We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as a civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."
Jefferson's solution to the problem of a "claustrophobic constitution" was to rewrite it once every nineteen or twenty years. He believed that each new generation had a right to choose for itself "the form of government it believes most promotive of its own happiness".
In 1785, Jefferson wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which was passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 1786. This statute was rooted in Jefferson's philosophy of natural right and the sovereignty of the people. It proclaimed the freedom of thought and the freedom to choose one's religious beliefs.
Jefferson's work on the Virginia state constitution, therefore, informed his views on the US Constitution and the importance of periodic revision to keep pace with the progress of society.
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Jefferson's ideas about the Constitution were influenced by his time in France
Thomas Jefferson's ideas about the Constitution were influenced by his time in France. While serving as the United States minister in France, Jefferson witnessed the country's political and social turmoil, which would eventually lead to the French Revolution. He observed the failures of the French monarchy, including the deep inequality among the classes and the poverty and hunger of the people. This experience likely shaped his views on the importance of a strong central government and the need for periodic constitutional revision.
Jefferson was also exposed to Enlightenment ideals during his time in France, which influenced his belief in the sanctity of the individual. He was inspired by the writings of Locke and Montesquieu, and he sought out like-minded individuals such as John Adams, with whom he collaborated on the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson's time in France allowed him to expand his understanding of world affairs and governance, which informed his ideas about the Constitution.
In his correspondence, Jefferson expressed his belief that constitutions should not be treated as sacred and unchangeable. He argued that laws and institutions must evolve alongside the progress of the human mind. This view may have been influenced by the political and social upheaval he witnessed in France, which highlighted the dangers of an outdated social contract.
Jefferson's experiences in France may have also contributed to his support for individual rights and freedom of the press. He became a regular companion of the Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution, and used his influence to procure trade agreements with France. Jefferson's exposure to the French Revolution and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen may have reinforced his commitment to these principles.
Additionally, Jefferson's time in France may have influenced his views on the role of the people in governance. He was one of the few national leaders who trusted in the ability of the people to govern themselves. This belief in the importance of popular sovereignty may have been shaped by his observations of the French people's struggle for political and social change.
In conclusion, Thomas Jefferson's time in France exposed him to new ideas and experiences that likely influenced his views on the Constitution. His exposure to the social and political turmoil of pre-revolutionary France, as well as the ideals of the Enlightenment, may have shaped his beliefs about the need for a dynamic and responsive government, the protection of individual rights, and the importance of popular sovereignty.
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Jefferson's correspondence with James Madison helped convince Madison to introduce a bill of rights
Thomas Jefferson believed that the Constitution should be rewritten every 19 or 20 years, as he felt that it should be updated to match the progress of the human mind. In a letter to Samuel Kercheval, Jefferson wrote, "I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind." He further stated that constitutions should not be regarded as sacred and unchangeable, writing, "Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched."
Jefferson's views on the Constitution influenced his correspondence with James Madison, which took place between 1787 and 1789. At the time, there was opposition to the ratification of the Constitution due to the absence of a bill of rights. In October 1787, Madison informed Jefferson of his colleague George Mason's objection to the Constitution, specifically highlighting the lack of a bill of rights as a "fatal objection."
In his response, Jefferson expressed his strong support for a bill of rights, stating that "a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, & what no just government should refuse or rest on inference." Jefferson's arguments helped convince Madison of the importance of a bill of rights, despite Madison's initial doubts about the effectiveness of such amendments.
Madison, who later became the primary author of the Bill of Rights, initially shared the view that state bills of rights were often ignored and that a federal bill of rights might face similar challenges. However, through their exchange of ideas, Jefferson's advocacy for a bill of rights resonated with Madison. This correspondence laid the groundwork for Madison's introduction of the Bill of Rights, a pivotal moment in shaping the protections for individual liberties in the United States.
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Jefferson's views on the Constitution were shaped by his belief in limited government
Thomas Jefferson's views on the Constitution were shaped by his belief in limited government. He saw the Constitution as a living document that should be periodically revised to keep pace with the progress of society. In a letter to Samuel Kercheval on July 12, 1816, Jefferson wrote, "I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind." He believed that constitutions should be amended or rewritten every 19 to 20 years to ensure they remained relevant and reflected the changing needs and opinions of each new generation.
Jefferson's belief in limited government extended to his interpretation of the Constitution. He warned against treating the Constitution as a sacred text, arguing that it should be open to revision and amendment. In his correspondence with Kercheval, Jefferson criticized those who viewed constitutions with "sanctimonious reverence" and considered them too sacred to be touched. He wrote, "They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment." Jefferson's dynamic perspective on the Constitution stood in contrast to those who held a static interpretation.
Jefferson's support for limited government was also evident in his desire to protect individual liberties. He strongly believed that every American should have the right to prevent the government from infringing on their freedoms. This included liberties such as religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. To safeguard these rights, Jefferson advocated for a written "bill of rights" to accompany the Constitution. His collaboration with James Madison played a crucial role in convincing Madison to introduce a bill of rights into the First Congress. The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791.
Jefferson's belief in limited government influenced his actions during his presidency as well. After his election, he sought to stay true to his principles by cutting the federal budget and taxes while reducing the national debt. He wanted to ensure that the government's power was constrained and that individual liberties were protected. This commitment to limited government extended beyond his presidential term, as he continued to advocate for constitutional revisions and the protection of civil liberties until his death in 1826.
In summary, Thomas Jefferson's views on the Constitution were shaped by his belief in limited government. He saw the Constitution as a flexible document that should evolve with the progress of society. His support for periodic revision, protection of individual liberties, and interpretation of the Constitution as non-sacred reflected his commitment to ensuring that government power was constrained and responsive to the needs and freedoms of the people. Jefferson's influence on the Bill of Rights and his advocacy for constitutional amendments highlight his lasting impact on shaping the American political landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Jefferson believed that the Constitution should be regularly revised. He wrote, "Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment." He believed that the Constitution should be torn up and rewritten every 19 or 20 years to keep up with the progress of the human mind and the changing circumstances of society.
Thomas Jefferson believed that a dynamic society like that of the United States needed periodic constitutional revision to avoid being constrained by an outdated social contract. He wrote, "Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. 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."
No, Thomas Jefferson did not believe that the Constitution was sacred. He warned against treating it as such, arguing that it should be periodically revised to remain relevant to the needs of a changing society.
