Thomas Jefferson
Pragmatist
Pragmatist (noun)
1) Jefferson Takes Office
When Jefferson took office there were financial policies previously placed by Hamilton that did not agree with his principles, including the national bank and the the idea of funding the states’ debt at par. When these ideas were first proposed Jefferson was against them, but when he later took office he realized that these policies were working for the betterment of the country (and it would be impractical to get rid of them) so he kept them in tack.
2) Louisiana Purchase
When Jefferson became president France had control of New Orleans. Jefferson feared that if they held this land our national security would be at stake. He sent James Monroe to France to make a treaty to acquire the port of New Orleans. Monroe came home with the entire area of Louisiana. This created a complicated situation for Jefferson because he favored a strict interpretation of the constitution, which did not give the executive the power to purchase land. But he knew that this offer would never appear again and that if he did not by the land France would stay, a looming threat.
3) Pirates In the North Bay
4) Embargo Act
Jefferson was a strong advocate for individual and state rights. When he passed the embargo against France and Britain many felt that he was damaging the economy and limiting their rights to pursue commerce. Jefferson was trying to keep America neutral and remove us from their war by removing us from trade. Even though this went against his principles he thought this was best for the country.