What were Thomas Jefferson's mistakes as a politician?

Answer 1

I think Jefferson's biggest mistake was that he failed to rise above the one of the biggest issues of his time - slavery. It had little effect on him during his life, but it has had a profound effect on his legacy. I personally believe he is absolutely worth studying, and even honoring, but many people today refuse to do so, simply because he was a slave owner. Today, many public schools formerly named after Jefferson have changed their names because of the controversy surrounding him. I even heard of a college class called "American Political Thought" that doesnt teach anything about Jefferson, simply because he was a slave owner. This, of course, is outrageous, since Jefferson is among the biggest contributors to American history and politics.

Answer 2

Thomas Jefferson was a great politician and the template for all modern politicians. He could be on both sides of every issue and engage in highly questionable conduct and still come out smelling like a rose. He told Washington that he was oppossed to political parties, while creating America;s first modern political party. He extended an olive branch to his enemy Hamilton while exhorting Madison and his other followers to destroy Hamilton politically, socially and financially. In fact, he instigated an official government investigation of Hamilton all the while knowing that the charges against him were false. His reputation is even today spotless although he lied and cheated as much as any modern politician. One political mistake might be that he believed tha the French Revolution would be swift and bloodless and result in a democracy much like ours. It is also questionable whether he actually supported the Constitution, although Madison covered for him on that one. He was also the author of the Virginia resolutions which laid the conceptual framework for the south to succede and cause the civil war. Most of his mistakes were not political. For instance as president he shrunk the army and navy, a policy which was followed by his successors and which led to the U.S. almost being conquered in the war of 1812.