Hofstadter’s Thomas Jefferson: An Original View On An Extraordinary Personality

Hofstadter writes that Jefferson is complex and important in his book The American Political Tradition. Jefferson is generally viewed as an important and highly respected figure in American History. However, Hofstadter points out that Jefferson over time has been greatly overdramatized and less like the person he is. Hofstadter claims Jefferson was an enormous hypocrite. His ideals often contradict his actions. Hofstadter’s views on Jefferson are not what they portray, but a hypocrite whose place in American history is exaggerated.

Hofstadter claims that Jefferson was a hypocrite because his ideals were in direct contradiction to his actual life. Jefferson wanted America to be a Meritocracy. That is, where the best workers were the most prominent. Jefferson was still fully supportive of those he surrounded himself by, the wealthy, upper-class Americans. Hofstadter reports that Virginia reformers under his leadership “abolished primogeniture” (27). This shows how Jefferson’s ideals are largely contrary to his personality. Jefferson was an enormous recipient of primogeniture after his father’s death. Because of the primogeniture law, Jefferson received “2,700 acres and many bondsman” (26). Although Jefferson did abolish primogeniture in later life, he never had to work for any immediate wealth. Jefferson worked long hours on a draft about the emancipation or total absolution of slavery. Another contradiction is that Jefferson was a slave owner, with 600 slaves. He tried to free them all, but he didn’t succeed. Jefferson stated in Hofstadter “that the public would not bear this proposition… Yet it is not distant when they must bear and adopt the proposal, or worse will come” (29). Jefferson was afraid of being called a revolutionary, even though he would never have voted against the public opinion. “… He avoided speaking in public about his less-than-pleasing ideas after he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Hofstadter points out that Jefferson chose to stay with the majority opinion. This is partly why Hofstadter believes that Jefferson is not really a “revolutionary” and that Jefferson has hypocrisy. Although Jefferson supported the majority on all major issues, his actual feelings about an issue were different from what he had said, it was clear that he was always in the same camp as the masses. Hofstadter uses Charles M. Wiltse to explain his position. He said, “He keeps himself away from the masses. And if he claims equal rights for all men, it’s not because any of them feel that they are equal. But because he thinks so.” (26). Hofstadter used this quote to demonstrate that Jefferson, who believes he’s better than the rest, is willing to stand with the people on the issue of equality. His ideas are contradictory to his actions, yet again. Jefferson claims that he believed an agrarian United States and that Jeffersonians would be America’s face. Hofstadter asserts “… but he was able to enter the White House after satisfying Federalists (44). Jefferson believed in Jeffersonian Democracy. He supported Federalists with large amounts of his support, even though he fully believed in it. Federalism is a far cry than Jeffersonian Democracy. Jefferson, as the quote explains, believed in Federalism. His “strong” beliefs were not respected by the Federalists. Jefferson’s appeasement to Federalists is a sign that he has lost control of his thoughts. He reformulated his original thoughts to be more in line with Federalists. Although he tried to appease them to win their support, he was steadfast in his promise to keep his word about the intentions. Jefferson’s true thoughts were not reflected in his statements to the public in most cases. This highlights the fact that while people can’t trust what he says, there is often an undercurrent opinion which he won’t disclose.

Thomas Jefferson is an American hero. His achievements and his contribution to shaping America’s history are well known. Hofstadter, however, explains that Jefferson has many significant failures that are seldom discussed. Jefferson’s American story is positive. It’s hard to believe that Jefferson has not had major failures. The Embargo Bill of 1807 was one example of such failures. The Embargo Act, which was intended to stop maritime seizures in Britain and France and give the United States more power, effectively restricted American exports to Britain or France. Hofstadter points out that “The Embargo” did not succeed in forcing Britain and France to recognize American rights on high seas. Instead, it caused economic paralysis for the Northeast’s trading cities and the West’s and South’s plantations and farms. Jefferson finally admitted that its fifteen-month operation was more expensive than a war (51). Hofstadter used this example to show that Jefferson made a huge mistake that cost more than a war. Jefferson’s failure to create the Embargo Act was not the only problem. The Nonintercourse Act also prohibited trade. This only allowed trade to be opened to a very small portion of Europe. The Nonintercourse act was seen as a terrible decision by Americans. Jefferson’s appeasement to France and Britain was psychologically showing that America was less powerful than France and Britain. He also continued to allow maritime seizures. Jefferson’s view that America was “Agrarian” was another failing of the Embargo Bill. This was a major failure because, Hofstadter said, “… It was Jefferson’s view of an “Agrarian America” (John Randolph) that led to the War of 1812 (52). Jefferson’s ideas for the United States resulted in a war between Northern America and Southern USA. The North wanted Canada and Florida, respectively. Jefferson’s vision of America was to have self-sufficient yeoman farmers. These farmers would not be able to run large businesses, but they would be able to make ends meet and reduce dependence on one another. The War of 1812 was the result of greed and cupidity by the farmers. While historians tend to portray Jefferson as an influential figure in American history, Hofstadter makes a compelling case that Jefferson did not have all the answers and was guilty of many costly errors.

Hofstadter reveals that Jefferson was not the man people think he is. Jefferson isn’t the man many think he was. In fact, he was a complicated mess. His accomplishments appear to make Jefferson’s failures small, but in reality they cost America a lot. Jefferson wasn’t as remarkable as people think. He was a hypocrite, overdramatized, and his place in American history may not be as important as it seems. Jefferson’s history has been a mess in many ways, but Hofstadter approaches Jefferson too cynically, focusing on the moral complexities, and failings, that make him a man that is not worthy of credit.

He has made significant contributions to American history, regardless of his mistakes. Hofstadter is trying to discredit Jefferson. He briefly notes his successes and dwells on his inconsistencies. While some mistakes can be costly, Jefferson’s successes as well as his mistakes are worth it. His mistakes seem to be less important than his achievements in history. Jefferson deserves to be remembered for his achievements and mistakes. But, history is full of people who make mistakes.