Eleanor Finch
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and a mentor to James Madison, a driving force behind the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Jefferson was serving as ambassador to France when the Constitutional Convention met in 1787, but he remained well informed about events in America, largely because of his correspondence with Madison. Jefferson recognised that a stronger federal government would make the country more secure economically and militarily, but he feared that a strong central government might become too powerful, restricting citizens' rights. In a letter to Madison, Jefferson asked whether or not one generation of men has a right to bind another, either in the form of a financial debt or a political obligation to obey a constitution of laws not contracted by that individual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson's position on the ratification of the Constitution | Jefferson recognised that a stronger federal government would make the country more secure economically and militarily, but he feared that a strong central government might become too powerful, restricting citizens' rights |
| Jefferson's position on the binding nature of the Constitution | Jefferson questioned whether "one generation of men has a right to bind another", either in the form of a financial debt or a political obligation to obey a constitution of laws not contracted by that individual. He concluded that any constitution should lapse roughly every generation since it was first signed and ratified |
| Jefferson's actions during the ratification process | Jefferson was serving as ambassador to France when the Constitutional Convention met in 1787, but he remained well-informed through his correspondence with James Madison |
| Jefferson's influence on the Constitution | Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and a mentor to James Madison, a driving force behind the 1787 Constitutional Convention. He also wrote about and debated constitutional issues prior to the Convention |
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What You'll Learn
- Jefferson's thoughts on the Constitution before and after its ratification
- Jefferson's correspondence with James Madison
- Jefferson's position as ambassador to France during the Constitutional Convention
- Jefferson's thoughts on the power of a strong central government
- Jefferson's views on the binding nature of the Constitution
Jefferson's thoughts on the Constitution before and after its ratification
Thomas Jefferson was serving as ambassador to France when the US Constitution was ratified in 1787. He was well informed about events in America, largely because of his correspondence with his good friend James Madison, who was a driving force behind the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Jefferson recognised that a stronger federal government would make the country more secure economically and militarily, but he feared that a strong central government might become too powerful, restricting citizens' rights.
Before the ratification, Jefferson had certainly written about and debated constitutional issues. In 1776, he was unable to attend the Virginia state convention that drew up the Virginia Declaration of Rights, but he sent his own version of a draft constitution back to his home state to consider.
In a letter to Madison, Jefferson objected to the way in which state and federal governments were to be organised, noting that some of the provisions may "surprise" him.
After the ratification, Jefferson asked in a letter to Madison whether or not "one generation of men has a right to bind another", either in the form of a financial debt or a political obligation to obey a constitution of laws not contracted by that individual. He concluded that any constitution (including the American Constitution) has to lapse roughly after every generation (based on his calculations, every 19 years) since it was first signed and ratified.
The Constitution's Ratification: A Historical Perspective
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Jefferson's correspondence with James Madison
Thomas Jefferson was serving as ambassador to France when the Constitution was ratified, but he remained well informed about events in America, largely because of his correspondence with his good friend James Madison. Jefferson and Madison had a close relationship, with Madison being a mentee of Jefferson.
In a letter to Madison, Jefferson asked whether "one generation of men has a right to bind another", either in the form of a financial debt or a political obligation to obey a constitution of laws not contracted by that individual. He came to the conclusion that any constitution has to lapse roughly after every generation (based on his calculations, every 19 years) since it was first signed and ratified.
On December 20th, 1787, after the Constitutional Convention was over and while the ratification of the Constitution was being debated in state legislatures, Jefferson wrote another letter to Madison. In this letter, he objected to the ratification of the Constitution. He recognised that a stronger federal government would make the country more secure economically and militarily, but he feared that a strong central government might become too powerful, restricting citizens' rights.
Despite their close relationship, Jefferson and Madison did not always agree on constitutional issues. Madison explained how state and federal governments were to be organised, and noted that some of the provisions may "surprise" Jefferson. However, their correspondence remained respectful and constructive, with both men working towards what they believed was best for the country.
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Jefferson's position as ambassador to France during the Constitutional Convention
Thomas Jefferson was serving as ambassador to France when the Constitutional Convention met in 1787 to replace the Articles of Confederation. Although he was not in the country, Jefferson remained well informed about events in America, largely because of his correspondence with his good friend James Madison. In fact, Jefferson was a mentor to Madison, who was a driving force behind the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
Jefferson recognised that a stronger federal government would make the country more secure economically and militarily, but he feared that a strong central government might become too powerful, restricting citizens’ rights. He therefore wanted the new Constitution to be accompanied by a written “bill of rights” to guarantee personal liberties, such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom from standing armies, trial by jury, and habeas corpus. He also urged Madison and others to limit the number of terms that a president could serve.
In a letter to Madison, Jefferson asked whether or not “one generation of men has a right to bind another,” either in the form of a financial debt or a political obligation to obey a constitution of laws not contracted by that individual. He concluded that any constitution (including the American Constitution) has to lapse roughly after every generation (based on his calculations, every 19 years) since it was first signed and ratified.
In February 1787, while the Constitutional Convention was being organised, Jefferson left Paris for a three-month tour of the south of France and northern Italy. He wrote to his secretary William Short: “Architecture, painting, sculpture, antiquities, the condition of the laboring poor fill all my moments.” In a letter to the Marquis de Lafayette, Jefferson expands on his thirst for knowledge, his methods, and observations on the people of France.
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Jefferson's thoughts on the power of a strong central government
Thomas Jefferson was serving as ambassador to France when the Constitutional Convention met in 1787 to replace the Articles of Confederation. He was well informed about events in America, largely because of his correspondence with his good friend James Madison.
Jefferson recognised that a stronger federal government would make the country more secure economically and militarily, but he feared that a strong central government might become too powerful, restricting citizens' rights. In a letter to Madison, Jefferson asked whether or not "one generation of men has a right to bind another", either in the form of a financial debt or a political obligation to obey a constitution of laws not contracted by that individual. He concluded that any constitution (including the American Constitution) has to lapse roughly after every generation (based on his calculations, every 19 years) since it was first signed and ratified.
The Constitution's Ratification: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Jefferson's views on the binding nature of the Constitution
Thomas Jefferson was serving as ambassador to France when the US Constitution was ratified in 1787. He was well informed about events in America, largely because of his correspondence with his good friend James Madison. In a letter to Madison, Jefferson recognised that a stronger federal government would make the country more secure economically and militarily, but he feared that a strong central government might become too powerful, restricting citizens' rights.
Jefferson also questioned whether "one generation of men has a right to bind another", either in the form of a financial debt or a political obligation to obey a constitution of laws not contracted by that individual. He concluded that any constitution has to lapse roughly after every generation (based on his calculations, every 19 years) since it was first signed and ratified.
Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and a mentor to James Madison, a driving force behind the 1787 Constitutional Convention. He wrote about and debated constitutional issues, and sent his own version of a draft constitution to his home state of Virginia in 1776.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Thomas Jefferson did not ratify the Constitution. He was serving as ambassador to France when the Constitutional Convention met in 1787.
Jefferson recognised that a stronger federal government would make the country more secure economically and militarily, but he feared that a strong central government might become too powerful, restricting citizens' rights.
Yes, Jefferson wrote about and debated constitutional issues. He also wrote a letter to Madison in 1787, objecting to the ratification of the Constitution.
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