President 3 of 47
Thomas Jefferson
1801–1809 · Democratic-Republican · Virginia
He wrote that all people are created equal — and doubled the size of the country.
- Lived
- 1743–1826
- Vice president
- Aaron Burr; George Clinton
- Nickname
- Sage of Monticello
- Home state
- Virginia
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
The story
Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States. He was the main author of the Declaration of Independence. He wrote the line that all men are created equal.
As president he bought a huge piece of land from France. That deal is called the Louisiana Purchase. It cost about $15 million and doubled U.S. territory. He sent Lewis and Clark to explore the new western land.
Jefferson wanted a national government as small and careful with power as the Constitution allowed. He cut taxes and reduced the army. Then he still used the Constitution to buy Louisiana — his great presidential act.
Why it matters
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the map, opened the West, and helped make a continental republic.
Check for understanding
20 questions from the lesson above. Misses come with a short explanation — then the lesson is yours.
Question 1 of 20
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