LAD#10: Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

Summarize:

Jefferson begins by addressing his new role as the sole executive official and his reservations concerning this unfamiliar position. However, he soon strives to reassure the American citizens that he will use the guidance of the agreed upon constitution to lead their country justly and equally. Throughout Jefferson's entire speech equality played a major role. In fact, Americans throughout history remember the line, "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists," as Jefferson thoroughly discredits the two major political parties that had so tremendously inhibited his first election. Jefferson also stresses the importance of unity and  "common efforts for the common good." This unity was imperative to the survival of this new and politically, geographically, and racially divided nation. By stating his worries concerning political factions as well as touching upon the danger of entangling America in foreign alliances, Jefferson echoes the farewell address of George Washington himself. Additionally, Jefferson mirrors the principles that fill the same Bill of Rights that pushed his state of Virginia to ratify the constitution by accenting the ever important rights of man. Finally, Jefferson closes his speech by reasserting his qualifications for the role as president, thus proving that he is worthy and able to repair the split country. Lastly, Thomas Jefferson restates that his power does not come from himself, it does not even come form the government, but rather Jefferson's power comes from the people themselves and he will do everything to protect these rights.

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Jefferson's First Inaugural Address
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Washington's Farewell Address
In many ways Jefferson's first inaugural speech mimicked the same ideas as Washington's farewell address years later. For example, Washington's speech famously forebode the negative consequences political parties would have on our tediously formed nation. However, although Jefferson also warns about the dangers of factions, his fear is based on his own experiences of how these dividing parties can have repercussions on something as significant as the presidential election.

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