Jonah Patel
Thomas Jefferson believed that the constitution should be rewritten every 19 or 20 years. He wrote to James Madison in 1787 that the earth belongs to the living, and that each new generation has the right to choose for itself the form of government it believes most promotive of its own happiness. Jefferson's views on government were based on the belief that a generation was 20 years and that each generation should have the opportunity to review and change laws that no longer work for them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Thomas Jefferson |
| Reason | To allow each new generation to choose for itself "the form of government it believes most promotive of its own happiness" |
| Reason | To prevent the constitution from becoming stagnant |
| Reason | To allow the next generation to fix the mistakes of the previous one |
| Reason | To allow the constitution to keep pace with new discoveries and changing circumstances |
| Time Period | Every 19 or 20 years |
| Scope | All aspects of government, including extension of debts, term limits, governmental ownership of land, etc. |
| Opposition | James Madison, who argued that setting a "time limit" on the constitution would cause the government to change for transient causes |
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What You'll Learn
Thomas Jefferson's views on government
Thomas Jefferson, an American Founding Father, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and the third President of the United States, had a profound impact on the nation's history and government. Jefferson advocated for a federal government with limited powers and sought to protect individual liberties and rights.
Jefferson strongly believed in the freedom of speech and press, considering them sacred rights that should be guaranteed to all Americans. He opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts, viewing them as violations of the First Amendment. In his correspondence with James Madison, Jefferson contributed to the introduction of a bill of rights, which became the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ensuring the protection of personal liberties such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and habeas corpus.
Jefferson's vision of government was shaped by his belief in the importance of each new generation having a say in the laws that affect them. He suggested that the Constitution should be revisited and amended by each generation, approximately every 19 to 20 years, to address any imperfections and ensure it remains relevant to the changing needs and philosophies of society. This idea, known as the 19-year clause, reflected his desire for a dynamic and adaptable government.
As president, Jefferson sought to reduce the power of the national government by cutting the federal budget and taxes while also reducing the national debt. He was willing to make controversial decisions, such as the Louisiana Purchase, which expanded his interpretation of the Constitution. Additionally, Jefferson supported the separation of church and state and played a crucial role in ending the importation of slaves.
Overall, Thomas Jefferson's views on government were characterized by his commitment to individual liberties, limited federal power, and the belief in a dynamic and adaptable Constitution that could be amended by each new generation.
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Jefferson's letter to James Madison
In a letter to James Madison dated September 6, 1789, Thomas Jefferson discussed the idea that the Constitution should be rewritten every 19 to 20 years, coinciding with the length of a generation. Jefferson's argument centred around the belief that each new generation has the right to choose the form of government that best suits their needs and promotes their happiness. He suggested that the government should work in cycles, allowing for regular re-evaluations of the Constitution, term limits, and governmental ownership of land.
Jefferson's letter to Madison was written in the context of the French Revolution and the formation of the French Constitution. He questioned whether one generation could morally bind another, either through financial debt or political obligation to obey laws not contracted by the latter. Jefferson concluded that a constitution should lapse roughly after every generation since it was first signed and ratified. This principle, which he referred to as "the earth belongs to the living and not to the dead," reflected his belief that previous generations should not dictate the choices and laws of the current generation.
In the letter, Jefferson also addressed the national debt of France, suggesting that future debts should be limited to what can be paid within a generation or a term of 19 years. He argued that such a declaration in the constitution would hold both the legislature and the nation accountable and bridle the spirit of war.
Jefferson's suggestion of a 19 or 20-year cycle for constitutional revision was not meant to be taken literally. Instead, it highlighted his vision for a dynamic government that adapts to new discoveries, truths, and changing circumstances. He recognized that without a set time for change, the constitution might become stagnant and abused. However, Madison countered that imposing a "time limit" could lead to governmental instability.
Jefferson's views on government and constitutional revision are memorialized on the southeast wall of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial chamber. The inscription is based on a letter he wrote to Samuel Kercheval, an innkeeper and author from Virginia, in 1816. In this letter, Jefferson expressed his thoughts on the revision and amendment of the Virginia state constitution, further emphasizing his belief in the importance of adapting constitutions to the needs of the time.
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Jefferson's letter to Samuel Kercheval
Thomas Jefferson, in his letter to Samuel Kercheval on July 12, 1816, expressed his opinions on government and the potential revision of the US Constitution. The letter was in response to Kercheval's inquiry about the necessity of calling a convention for the revision and amendment of Virginia's state constitution. While Jefferson did not specifically state that the Constitution should be rewritten every 20 years, he did discuss the idea of regular constitutional revision and the importance of each new generation having a say in their government.
Jefferson argued that governments are republican only to the extent that they embody and execute the will of the people. He believed that the first constitutions lacked clear leading principles due to the inexperience of self-government and a preoccupation with opposing monarchy. He emphasized the importance of equal representation and the prevention of government corruption.
In the letter, Jefferson also shared his thoughts on the role of counties and the delegation of power. He supported the division of counties into wards, creating pure and elementary republics that collectively form a true democracy. He suggested that representatives would be accountable to their constituents, and the people would have the organized power to peacefully address any usurpations of power.
Jefferson's letter has been interpreted by some as suggesting that the Constitution should be re-evaluated or rewritten every 19 or 20 years to accommodate new discoveries and changing circumstances. This interpretation aligns with his belief that each new generation has the right to choose the form of government that best promotes its happiness. However, it is important to note that Jefferson did not advocate for a literal expiration and rewrite of the Constitution but rather a cyclical process of governmental change and adaptation.
In conclusion, Jefferson's letter to Samuel Kercheval provides valuable insights into his political philosophy, including his views on government representation, corruption prevention, and the importance of adapting laws and constitutions to meet the needs of each new generation. While he did not explicitly call for a rewrite of the Constitution every 20 years, his ideas on governmental change have left a lasting impact on political thought.
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Jefferson's political vision
Thomas Jefferson is remembered as one of the great American political philosophers. His political vision, known as Jeffersonian Democracy, was one of the two dominant political outlooks in the United States from the 1790s to the 1820s. Jefferson's most fundamental political belief was an "absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the majority". This belief stemmed from his deep optimism in human reason, and he felt that the will of the people, expressed through elections, provided the most appropriate guidance for directing the republic's course.
Jefferson's vision was deeply rooted in American republicanism, which meant opposition to elitism, corruption, and monarchism, with a priority for the "yeoman farmer", "planters", and the "plain folk". He believed that farmers made the best citizens and welcomed the opening up of new low-cost farmland, especially the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. He also supported international commerce to benefit farmers and wanted to see new technology incorporated into farms and households to increase productivity.
Jefferson was concerned about the emergence of political rivalries in the young nation and believed that democracy needed to be defended against the corrupting influence of banks and financial interests. He supported states' rights and local control and opposed the federal concentration of power. He also opposed a national debt, preferring that each state retire its own, and attempted to undermine Alexander Hamilton's agenda, which nearly led to his dismissal from Washington's cabinet.
Jefferson's vision extended beyond domestic politics, as he sought to reduce British influence and increase trade with France. He also wanted to weaken Spanish colonialism in the Trans-Appalachia and British control in the North, believing this would aid in the pacification of Native Americans.
In terms of constitutional reform, Jefferson believed that each new generation had a right to choose for itself "the form of government it believes most promotive of its own happiness". He thought that every 19 or 20 years, the constitution should be handed off to the next generation to amend and repair as they saw fit. This idea was based on his belief that a generation was 20 years, and every generation should have the chance to review how laws affect them and make changes as needed. However, Jefferson did not want to cancel the Constitution every 20 years; rather, he wanted to prevent it from becoming stagnant and abused.
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The counterargument by Madison
Thomas Jefferson believed that the constitution should be rewritten every 19 or 20 years. This was based on his belief that a generation was 20 years and that each new generation had the right to choose for itself "the form of government it believes most promotive of its own happiness". He also thought that setting a time limit on each constitution would prevent it from becoming stagnant and abused.
James Madison disagreed with Jefferson's idea. He argued that setting a "time limit" on each constitution would cause the government to change for transient causes. He believed that improvements made by the dead formed a debt that the living benefited from. He also thought that a generation was in a constant course of decay and renewal, and that there was one constant term, beginning at the date of the contract, and ending when a majority of those of full age at that date were dead.
Madison's counterargument to Jefferson's idea that the constitution should be rewritten every 20 years can be summarised as follows:
The potential for abuse of power
Madison argued that setting a time limit on the constitution could lead to abuse of power. He believed that a fixed time frame would cause the government to change for transient causes, implying that leaders could manipulate the system to their advantage or to serve their interests, rather than for the benefit of the people.
The value of incremental change
While Jefferson favoured periodic, significant revisions to the constitution, Madison preferred a more gradual approach. He acknowledged that constitutions and laws were not perfect and could become outdated. However, he suggested that moderate imperfections were tolerable and that societies could accommodate and adapt to them. This perspective values stability and the preservation of established systems, as drastic changes every two decades could potentially lead to chaos or instability.
The role of amendments
Madison recognised that constitutions needed to evolve with changing circumstances, discoveries, and societal advancements. However, instead of rewriting the entire constitution every 20 years, he favoured the use of amendments as a mechanism for change. Amendments allow for targeted adjustments to specific aspects of the constitution, ensuring that it remains adaptable without requiring a complete overhaul. This approach aligns with his belief in incremental change and addresses Jefferson's concern about giving each new generation a voice in shaping their governance.
The concept of generational responsibility
Madison's argument extended beyond legal and political considerations to include a philosophical perspective on generational responsibility. He believed that each generation had a duty to the previous one. In his view, improvements and advancements made by the dead—the fruits of their labour and wisdom—were a debt owed by the living. This perspective highlights the importance of respecting the contributions of past generations and not discarding them every two decades.
The fluid nature of generations
Madison disagreed with Jefferson's rigid definition of a generation as a 20-year period. He saw generations as fluid, characterised by daily births and deaths, resulting in a constant state of decay and renewal. This perspective challenges the idea of a fixed time limit for constitutional change and suggests that the needs and preferences of generations cannot be neatly packaged into two-decade intervals.
In conclusion, while Thomas Jefferson advocated for rewriting the constitution every 19 or 20 years to empower each new generation to shape their governance, James Madison offered a counterargument rooted in concerns about stability, abuse of power, and respect for the contributions of past generations. He favoured a more gradual approach to change through amendments, recognising the need for adaptability while preserving the foundational principles of the constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Thomas Jefferson said that the constitution should be rewritten every 19 or 20 years.
Jefferson believed that each new generation had the right to choose the form of government it believes most promotive of its happiness. He also believed that a generation was 20 years and that every generation should have the chance to review how laws affect them and make changes.
In a letter to James Madison in 1787, Jefferson wrote, "the earth belongs to the living," and "the dead have neither power nor rights over it." He also believed that a constitution naturally expires at the end of 19 years, and enforcing it longer is an act of force and not of right.
James Madison countered Jefferson's idea, arguing that by setting a "time limit" on each constitution, the government would change for transient causes.
