Introduction to Presidents Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington

Thomas Jefferson (1743--1826)

(Served as President of the United States from March 4, 1801 to March 3, 1809)

Nickname: "The People's Man".

Born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Virginia. Died on July 4, 1826, in Monticello (near Virginia)

Thomas Jefferson was an active leader and organizer of the American Revolutionary Movement and the famous drafter of the American Declaration of Independence. He has been engaged in political activities for nearly sixty years

, is a great hero in the hearts of the American people

Jefferson's tombstone is engraved with: "Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Religious Freedom Act, the father of the University of Virginia, is buried in This".

Representative of bourgeois democracy, founder of *** and the party. In 1773, he founded Virginia's "Committee of Correspondence" to promote the idea of ??colonial independence. Support the theory of natural human rights and propose revolution to resist tyrants. Advocated the free development of small-scale peasant economy and opposed slavery and property qualification restrictions in parliamentary elections. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress and participated in drafting the Declaration of Independence. He served as governor of Virginia, minister to France, secretary of state, and vice president. During his term of office, he purchased Louisiana from France, expanding the U.S. border to the border with Mexico; he promoted the "Western Expansion Policy" and promulgated a decree prohibiting the importation of black slaves. Founded the University of Virginia in his later years.

Thomas Jefferson The first person to die of poverty was Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. He was born into an aristocratic family and belonged to the wealthy class. He left office on March 4, 1809. , died on July 4, 1826. Coincidentally, he died almost at the same time as his predecessor and political enemy John Adams, although their personal relationship was later reconciled. On Jefferson's tombstone is engraved : "Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Law of Religious Freedom, the father of the University of Virginia, is buried here."

Jefferson's eight-year presidential career caused him to owe huge debts and he was not allowed to He left the White House without borrowing money to repay the debt. After leaving the White House, he arrived at Monticello. Although he owned several small workshops and a small farm, he could not make ends meet. Although he reluctantly sold some land to pay off the debt, he still had a debt of almost $50,000. . So repaying debt became an intractable problem that troubled the outgoing president. His eldest daughter lived with him. In a letter to her father, Masha wrote: "I can endure anything, except that I don't want to see you." "You have to worry about debt at such an old age".

In 1812, the British invaded and burned down the Library of Congress. Jefferson sold his collection of books worth $50,000 to Congress for a low price of $23,500. Nearly half of the debt was repaid, despite the fact that it was on hand. Under his active lobbying, the state Assembly approved an annual payment of $15,000 to fund the school. Jefferson raised funds everywhere for the construction of the school. On March 7, 1825, the university opened, although it was only 30 years old. student.

Jefferson finally fell ill due to poverty and overwork. When news spread that Jefferson was in extreme financial difficulty, he devoted all his body and soul to the preparation of the University of Virginia from 1816 onwards. After that, US$16,000 was donated from all over the United States, but this was not enough to repay his debts and solve his medical expenses. On June 24, he wrote the last personal letter of his life, apologetically declining to commemorate the Declaration of Independence in Washington. 》Fiftieth anniversary commemoration, he finally fulfilled his last wish to live until July 4th, and passed away at 12:50 noon at the age of 73. A few hours later, another drafter of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson Former President Adams also passed away.

Lincoln

On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, to a family of lumberjacks. To make a living, he worked in various jobs such as store clerk, village postman, surveyor, and splitting fence battens. He began his political career in 1834 when he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives.

At that time, slavery was rampant in the United States. In 1854, southern slave owners actually sent a group of thugs into Kansas and used force to enforce the slavery system, triggering the Kansas Civil War. This incident aroused Lincoln's enthusiasm for struggle, and he clearly declared his political stance of "fighting for freedom and the abolition of slavery." In 1860 he was elected president. Southern slave owners were clear about Lincoln's political views, and they certainly did not want to sit still and wait for death. In 1861, representatives of seven southern states seceded from the Union, declared independence, and organized themselves into the "Southern Confederacy". On April 12, they began to attack the federal army. In the early days of the Civil War, the federal army suffered repeated defeats. On September 22, 1862, Lincoln announced the draft of the Emancipation Proclamation (later the Emancipation Proclamation), a document of great historical significance drafted by himself. From then on, the war situation began to change significantly. The army quickly switched from defense to offense, and finally won a complete victory in 1865.

At this time, Lincoln's reputation among the American people was getting higher and higher. In 1864, Lincoln was re-elected as president.

But unfortunately, on the evening of April 14, 1865, he was suddenly shot while watching a play at Ford's Theater in Washington, and died early the next morning.

Revolutionary teacher Marx spoke highly of Lincoln, saying that he was "a man who would not be intimidated by difficulties or deceived by success. He moved unyieldingly towards his great goal and never Although he acted rashly, he moved forward steadily and never retreated;... In short, he is a rare person who has reached a great state and still maintains his excellent qualities."

Name of person: George Washington

The 100 most influential politicians in history

George Washington was born in Wickfall, Virginia, USA in 1732 De Manor. The son of a wealthy planter, he inherited a considerable fortune at the age of twenty. From 1753 to 1758, Washington served in the army and actively participated in the war between the French and the Indians, thus gaining military experience and prestige. In 1758, he was disarmed and returned to Virginia. Soon he met a man with four The child's wealthy widow, Martha Dandelij Custis, was married (he had no biological children).

Washington showed extraordinary talent in managing his own property in the next fifteen years. In 1774, when he was selected as a representative of Virginia to attend the First Continental Congress, he had already become One of the richest men in the American colonies. Washington was not a pioneer for independence, but the Second Continental Congress in June 1775 (of which he was a delegate) unanimously elected him to command the Continental troops. He was rich in military experience, rich in wealth, and well-known; he was handsome in appearance, strong in body (height was 6 feet 2 hours), and had excellent commanding skills. In particular, his perseverance made him the natural choice for commander-in-chief. Throughout the war, he served loyally, never took a penny, and was an example of integrity and devotion to duty.

Washington began to command the Continental Army in June 1775. By the expiration of his second presidential term in March 1797, his most significant contributions were made during this period. He died at home in Wynne Mountain, Virginia, in December 1799.

First, he was a successful military leader in the American Revolution. But in fact he was by no means a military genius, and certainly not comparable to generals like Alexander and Caesar. At least half of his success was due to the unexpected incompetence of the British generals who faced him, and the other half was due to his own talents. But it should be remembered that several other American generals suffered heavy defeats, while Washington ultimately won the war despite suffering a few minor defeats.

Secondly, Washington was the president of the Constitutional Convention. Although his ideas did not play an important role in the formation of the United States Constitution, his supporters and his reputation played a significant role in the ratification of the Constitution by the states. At that time, there was a powerful force opposing the new constitution. If it were not for Washington's influence, it would be difficult to say that this constitution could be implemented.

Secondly, Washington was the first president of the United States. The United States was lucky to have a man of Washington's ability and political integrity as its first president. Looking at the history of South American and African countries, we can see that even a new country that started with a democratic constitution can easily degenerate into a military dictatorship. Washington was a staunch leader who maintained the unity of the country, but he had no ambition to hold power forever. He neither wanted to be a king nor a dictator. He set a precedent for voluntarily giving up power—a precedent that the United States still follows today.

Compared with other American leaders at the time, such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, etc., George Washington lacked innovative spirit and profound thoughts. But he was far more important than all these heroic figures, playing a vital role in administrative leadership, both in war and in peace, without whom no political movement could achieve its purpose. Madison's contribution to the formation of the United States was significant, and Washington's contribution was almost indispensable.

George Washington's place in this volume depends largely on how people recognize the historical significance he brought to the United States. It is naturally difficult to ask a contemporary American to make an impartial evaluation of that historical significance.

Although the United States had greater military power and political influence in the mid-20th century than even the Roman Empire at its peak, its regime may not last as long as the Roman Empire. On the other hand, it seems obvious that several of the technological achievements made by the United States will be regarded as of great significance by other peoples in the future. The invention of the airplane and the landing of man on the moon, for example, represent achievements that were only dreamed of by past generations; it is difficult to imagine that the invention of nuclear weapons will be regarded as an insignificant achievement in the future.

Since George Washington is generally comparable to the Roman Augustus Caesar, it seems reasonable to place him close to Augustus in this volume. If Washington is ranked slightly lower, it is mainly because he led for a much shorter period than Augustus, and many others such as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison also played a role in the formation of the United States. played an important role. But Washington ranks higher than figures like Alexander the Great and Napoleon because his contributions are more indelible than theirs.

Declaration of Independence

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

In Congress, July 4, 1776,

THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

That whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to the m shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Des potism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

< p>He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws of Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands .

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers .

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our People, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province , establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the Lives of our people.

< p>He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation .

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

< p>He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

< p>In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and sett lement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. too have been deaf t o the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Bri tain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. An d for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

JOHN HANCOCK, President

Attested, CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary

New Hampshire: JOSIAH BARTLETT, WILLIAM WHIPPLE, MATTHEW THORNTON

Massachusetts-Bay: SAMUEL ADAMS, JOHN ADAMS, ROBERT TREAT PAINE, ELBRIDGE GERRY

Rhode Island: STEPHEN HOPKINS, WILLIAM ELLERY

Connecticut: ROGER SHERMAN, SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, WILLIAM WILLIAMS, OLIVER WOLCOTT

Georgia: BUTTON GWINNETT, LYMAN HALL, GEO. WALTON

Maryland: SAMUEL CHASE, WILLIAM PACA, THOMAS STONE, CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLLTON

Virginia: GEORGE WYTHE, RICHARD HENRY LEE, THOMAS JEFFERSON, BENJAMIN HARRISON, THOMAS NELSON, JR., FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE, CARTER BRAXTON.

New York: WILLIAM FLOYD, PHILIP LIVINGSTON, FRANCIS LEWIS, LEWIS MORRIS

Pennsylvania: ROBERT MORRIS, BENJAMIN RUSH , BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, JOHN MORTON, GEORGE CLYMER, JAMES SMITH, GEORGE TAYLOR, JAMES WILSON, GEORGE ROSS

Delaware: CAESAR RODNEY, GEORGE READ, THOMAS M'KEAN

North Carolina: WILLIAM HOOPER, JOSEPH HEWES, JOHN PENN

South Carolina: EDWARD RUTLEDGE, THOMAS HEYWARD, JR., THOMAS LYNCH, JR., ARTHUR MIDDLETON

New Jersey: RICHARD STOCKTON, JOHN WITHERSPOON , FRANCIS HOPKINS, JOHN HART, ABRAHAM CLARK

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward , Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton.