Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was an important leader in U.S. history. He was born in Virginia in 1743. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. He was the third president of the United States. He was president from 1801 to 1809. He was president when the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803. Jefferson started the University of Virginia in 1819. Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826.

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is an important document for Americans. In the 1700s, the colonists were angry with Great Britain. They said Great Britain did not respect the colonists’ rights. The colonists wanted to be free from Great Britain. The colonists wanted to declare their independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence says that “all men are created equal.” There are three rights in the Declaration of Independence: 

• life 

• liberty

• pursuit of happiness

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4th.

The War of Independence 

The War of Independence started in 1775. The colonists declared their independence in 1776. George Washington was a general during the war. The colonists won the war in 1783. After that, the colonies formed the original 13 states.

Why did the colonists fight the British? 

• because of high taxes 

• because the British army stayed in the colonists’ houses 

• because the colonists did not have self-government