Debate: Who had the more enduring vision of the United States? Hamilton or Jefferson?
Side: Thomas Jefferson

Today, the United States of America is one of the worlds strongest and most enduring countires. It's roots though, tie back to the great men of our past, who worked exceptionaly hard to create our nation. There were many great men during this time, however for me, Thomas Jerfferson left one of the greatest and most enduirng legacies for this country. Everywhere you look, you can see the influence his idea's and action's had, and still have on us today.Thomas Jefferson was born a rich man in the south. This could have greatly impacted his attutide towards other, but instead, Jefferson became a bold man of ideas and morals. Some of his greatest achievements are based around this sole, and radical idea of equality and that all men are created equal. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independece, he created a symbol and basis that this country is shaped from. America is the land of the free, and this is what began it all. When Jefferson wrote about how people had unalienable rights, his only concern was to stick up for the 'little guy', as he put it. He didn't want any one person or group to have special privalge or treatment over another, especially coming out of a war with British rule. Jefferson was a man of the people, and his greatest concern was of protecting their rights. His morals are something that has inspired many throghout history, and continues to be a basis for this country today. These idea's, helped shape a country like no other, and still continues to impact not only us, but other's around the world.Jefferson's strong sense of fairness and equality didn't stop in his written works, which are a national symbol today, but extended to his idea's about government as well. Jefferson believed the best way to run this country would be to create a democracy. At this time finding a true democracy was nearly impossilbe, but Jerfferson still wanted to try. In order to have a true democracy, Jefferson understood that all men should have a say in government, which goes back to his idea's and beliefs that all men are created equal. He pushed to lower voting qualifications, which would allow more people to have a say in their country. He did understand that better educated men should have part in the government, but didn't want them to control everything. He believed that the state government should have power over their own people, although he still supported the Constitution. He only demanded a bill of rights. When it came to religion, Jefferson wanted the government to be seperate from the church, allowing greater freedom of religion. Although Jefferson's economy pushed for superiority of farmers, this was only to allow advantage to the hard workers who deserved to profit from the economoy as much as others. At the time, this was not such an unrealistic idea, but a precaution of equal oppurtunity for all. All these are purely for the sake of protecting individual rights of citizens, and giving the people control over the government. These are integral parts of democracy as a whole, and of the way we run our government today. Without Jefferson, these idea's, and the very identity and meaning of this nation may not be the same.Jefferson inspired the mind and hearts of men with his idea's and writing, a legacy that is carried down and spread from generation to generation even today. His impact on this society is also physical though, severly changing the geography of this nation as a whole. Jefferson was one of the politicians responsilbe for the land ordinance of 1784, which promoted the expansion of the country by protecting the rights of the settlers and regions being settled. The largest geographical accomplishment though, happened in Jefferson's presiency. Jefferson bought the Lousiana purchase, an extensive area of fertile and prosperous land for a very low cost. This land purchase nearly doubled the size of the country, which helped us become the national powerhouse we are today. The protected rights of settlers though, are what allowed people to move west, taking full advantage of the land, and bringing more people to the country as a whole.Jeffeson's work not only inspired the American mind, system of government, and the geography itself, but helped us create our identity today. America is a large land, know for its equality and freedom. These rich promises bring people here from all over the world, inspire others, and make us one of greatest countries. All of these things though, were greatly inspired and influenced by Thomas Jefferson. America today, is his legacy.