How to Research Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States and the only vice president to be of a different party than the president. He has a reputation as the most intellectually imposing of the Founding Fathers. To learn more about him, follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Search government and history websites and books to learn about the best-known aspect of Thomas Jefferson--his status as the author of the Declaration of Independence.
2. Study biographies that show him as a man of culture. Research the DNA analysis of descendants of Jefferson and Sally Hemings, one of his slaves. Know that Jefferson fathered at least one and as many as all of Sally Hemings' six children.
3. Learn that the 12th amendment eliminated the possibility of a president and vice president belonging to different political parties.
4. Study other important legislation passed during Jefferson's presidency such as the Embargo Act and why it was ineffective in preventing United States ships from sailing to foreign ports. The Embargo Act was replaced by the Non-Intercourse Act, which was ineffective as well. Marbury versus Madison allowed the Supreme Court to strike down laws that it ruled unconstitutional.
5. Realize that important events during Jefferson's administration include The Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States, the Tripolitan War and the Chesapeake Affair. Fulton's steamboat Clermont also made its first voyage on the Hudson River.