Simone Lawson
Thomas Jefferson believed that the Constitution should be rewritten every 19 or 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 new generation should be able to choose a form of government that best suits its needs. He based this belief on the idea that a majority of adults would be dead in 19 years, and a new majority would be in place, with the right to choose their own laws. Jefferson's views have sparked debates about whether the Constitution should be rewritten to reflect the changing needs of society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Thomas Jefferson |
| Reason | Every generation has a right to choose the form of government it believes will promote its happiness |
| Time Period | Every 19 or 20 years |
| Believer | That a generation was 20 years and every generation should have the chance to seriously review how laws affect them and change what isn't working anymore |
Explore related products
$9.99 $9.99
What You'll Learn
- Thomas Jefferson believed that the constitution should be rewritten every 19 years
- Jefferson's reasoning was that each new generation should have the right to choose its form of government
- He suggested that the entire government should work in cycles of 19 years
- Jefferson's views were based on the belief that the dead have no rights
- However, James Madison shot down Jefferson's idea, arguing that improvements made by the dead form a debt against the living
Thomas Jefferson believed that the constitution should be rewritten every 19 years
Thomas Jefferson believed that the constitution should be rewritten or revised every 19 or 20 years. In a letter to James Madison in 1787, Jefferson wrote that each new generation had a right to choose for itself "the form of government it believes most promotive of its own happiness". He based this on the belief that a generation was 20 years and that every generation should have the chance to review how laws affect them and change what isn't working anymore.
Jefferson's thinking was that the majority of adults would be dead in about 19 years, and a new majority would be in place, or in other words, a new generation. He believed that each generation is as independent as the one preceding it and that it has a right to choose for itself the form of government it believes will bring it the most happiness. He also believed that a new generation should be able to accommodate the circumstances in which it finds itself and that it is for the peace and good of mankind that a solemn opportunity of doing this every 19 or 20 years should be provided by the constitution.
In the letter, Jefferson also questioned whether one generation of men has the 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's idea was that the entire government should work on cycles of 19 years, including the extension of debts, term limits, re-evaluations of the Constitution, and governmental ownership of land. This was based on a minimum voting age of 21, and that by 40, a person would be too old to be connected to the ideas of the majority of the voting pool (21- to 40-year-olds).
However, Madison shot down Jefferson's idea, arguing that "improvement made by the dead...form a debt against the living who take the benefit of them."
Understanding the Supremacy Clause's Constitutional Supremacy
You may want to see also
Jefferson's reasoning was that each new generation should have the right to choose its form of government
Thomas Jefferson believed that the Constitution should be rewritten every 19 to 20 years, allowing each new generation to choose its form of government. In a letter to James Madison in 1787, Jefferson wrote, "the earth belongs always to the living generation," questioning whether "one generation of men has a right to bind another" to a constitution they did not create. He argued that every generation is independent and has the right to choose a government that aligns with its values and circumstances.
Jefferson's reasoning was rooted in the belief that laws should reflect the needs and interests of the living. He suggested that a generation was approximately 20 years, and during this time, a majority of adults would pass away, making way for a new majority—a new generation. He felt that this new generation should have the opportunity to review and change laws that no longer served them effectively. For example, during the Industrial Revolution, laws favouring farmers could have been revised to better support the growing urban population.
Jefferson's idea of cyclical government extended beyond the Constitution. He proposed that various aspects of governance, such as term limits, governmental ownership of land, and extension of debts, should also operate in 19-year cycles. This proposal was based on the notion that individuals over 40 years old would be disconnected from the ideas of the majority voting pool, aged 21 to 40.
While Jefferson's suggestion for a periodic constitutional revision was not implemented, his influence extended beyond his time. His writings and debates with Madison continue to spark discussions and shape perspectives on governance and constitutional interpretation. Beau Breslin, a professor at Skidmore, explores how American history might have changed if Jefferson's ideas had prevailed.
Jefferson's belief that each generation has the right to determine its form of government remains a subject of contemplation and debate. His ideas challenge the notion of a perpetual constitution, inviting reflection on the balance between stability and adaptability in governance.
US vs Russia: Constitutions Compared
You may want to see also
He suggested that the entire government should work in cycles of 19 years
Thomas Jefferson, one of America's founding fathers, is known for his views on the Constitution and the belief that it should be rewritten every 19 years. In his correspondence with James Madison in 1787, Jefferson wrote about the idea of each generation having the right to choose its own form of government. He questioned whether "one generation of men has a right to bind another" and concluded that any constitution should lapse approximately every 19 years, which he considered to be the length of a generation.
Jefferson's reasoning was based on the understanding that within a 19-year period, a majority of adults from the previous generation would have passed away, and a new majority, or a new generation, would be in place. This new generation, according to Jefferson, has the right to choose a government that aligns with their beliefs and circumstances. He suggested that the entire government should work in cycles of 19 years, including the re-evaluation of the Constitution, extension of debts, term limits, and governmental ownership of land.
Jefferson's views on the Constitution were shaped by his experiences during the French Revolution and his belief in the natural rights of individuals. He argued that the earth belongs "to the living generation," and that every constitution and law expire after 19 years. If enforced longer, he considered it an act of force rather than right. This perspective was in contrast to Madison's argument, who believed that improvements made by the previous generation formed a debt that the current generation should honour.
Jefferson's suggestion for cyclical governance aimed to address the concerns of each new generation, allowing them to amend and repair the Constitution as they saw fit. He recognised the challenges of ensuring that all voices within a generation were heard during the constitutional amendment process. While some scholars have explored the potential outcomes if Jefferson's ideas had been implemented, others have noted the difficulties of achieving a successful constitutional convention in today's political climate.
In conclusion, Thomas Jefferson's suggestion that the entire government should work in cycles of 19 years, including the re-evaluation and potential rewriting of the Constitution, stems from his belief in generational rights and the natural expiration of laws. His ideas continue to spark discussions and reflections on the evolution of governance and the role of each generation in shaping its future.
Research Engagement: Activities That Define Involvement
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$68.9 $98
Jefferson's views were based on the belief that the dead have no rights
Thomas Jefferson believed that the Constitution should be rewritten every 19 years, which translates to every generation. This belief was based on his view that the dead have no rights. In a letter to James Madison in 1787, Jefferson wrote, "the earth belongs always to the living generation... the dead have neither power nor rights over it." He questioned whether one generation had the right to bind another to a constitution or laws that they did not agree to.
Jefferson's views on this matter were shaped by his belief in self-government and the rights of individuals and states. He supported equal rights and liberty for all men and believed that every American should have the right to prevent the government from infringing on their liberties. This extended to freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. He also believed in a small government that favored state autonomy and took steps to limit federal power during his presidency.
However, Jefferson's commitment to these beliefs has been questioned, given his ownership of slaves and his expansion of power through the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. His views on the role of government and his actions as president have been described as contradictory.
Jefferson's ideas about the Constitution and the rights of the living have sparked debates and continue to be a subject of discussion in American politics.
The Constitution's Voting Rights: What's Guaranteed?
You may want to see also
However, James Madison shot down Jefferson's idea, arguing that improvements made by the dead form a debt against the living
Thomas Jefferson believed that the Constitution should be rewritten every 19 or 20 years. He argued that each new generation has the right to choose for itself "the form of government it believes most promotive of its own happiness". In a letter to James Madison, Jefferson questioned whether "one generation of men has a right to bind another", suggesting that a generation was 20 years and that every generation should have the opportunity to review and change laws that no longer work for them.
However, James Madison disagreed with Jefferson's idea. Madison argued that "improvements made by the dead form a debt against the living". He believed that the work and advancements of past generations, or "the dead", created an obligation that the current living generation should honour and build upon, rather than starting from scratch every 19 or 20 years.
Madison's perspective highlights the value of continuity and the importance of recognising the contributions of previous generations. While Jefferson's idea of cyclical constitutional revision ensures that laws remain relevant and reflective of the current generation's needs, Madison's counterargument underscores the concept of generational debt and the foundation laid by those who came before.
The debate between Jefferson and Madison remains relevant in discussions about constitutional interpretation and reform. Jefferson's notion of "the earth belongs to the living" underscores his belief in natural rights and self-governance, while Madison's argument acknowledges the cumulative progress of society built upon the efforts of past generations.
The tension between these two perspectives has influenced how the Constitution has evolved over time, with amendments and interpretations reflecting a balance between adapting to the needs of the present while respecting the work and principles of the past.
The US Constitution: Understanding the Preamble
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson believed that each new generation had the right to choose for itself "the form of government it believes most promotive of its own happiness".
In a letter to James Madison, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "the earth belongs always to the living generation". He 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.
Thomas Jefferson believed that the Constitution should be revisited, revised, or totally remade as needed. He thought that every generation should have the chance to seriously review how laws affect them and change what isn't working anymore.
James Madison shot down Thomas Jefferson's idea, arguing that "improvement made by the dead...form a debt against the living who take the benefit of them".
![Founding Fathers [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f9-HsS5nL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
