Pace Work 7-D 19/03

Тема: Епоха Джефферсона

In order to learn new items we start to work with lexical cards. (card #1) Here you can see some new words:

- public – the people in general;

- to retire – to leave a job;

- Secretary of State – one of the President’s advisors;

- to seize – to take something by force;

- a value – to think highly of something;

- to select – to choose;

- White House – is the President’s home;

Reading

Now we are going to read the text.

Although Thomas Jefferson was in France serving as United States minister when the Federal Constitution was written in 1787, he was able to influence the development of the federal government through his correspondence. Later his actions as the first secretary of state, vice president, leader of the first political opposition party, and third president of the United States were crucial in shaping the look of the nation's capital and defining the powers of the Constitution and the nature of the emerging republic.

Jefferson played a major role in the planning, design, and construction of a national capitol and the federal district. In the various public offices he held, Jefferson sought to establish a federal government of limited powers. In the 1800 presidential election, Jefferson and Aaron Burr deadlocked, creating a constitutional crisis. However, once Jefferson received sufficient votes in the electoral college, he and the defeated incumbent, John Adams, established the principle that power would be passed peacefully from losers to victors in presidential elections. Jefferson called his election triumph "the second American Revolution."

While president, Jefferson's principles were tested in many ways. For example, in order to purchase the Louisiana Territory from France he was willing to expand his narrow interpretation of the Constitution. But Jefferson stood firm in ending the importation of slaves and maintaining his view of the separation of church and state. In the end, Jefferson completed two full and eventful terms as president. He also paved the way for James Madison and James Monroe, his political protégés, to succeed him in the presidency.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants"

Writing to William Smith (1755-1816), John Adams' secretary and future son-in-law, Thomas Jefferson seemed to welcome Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts: "god forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion . . . the tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. it is it's natural manure." Jefferson was confident that rather than repression, the "remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them."

"Our liberty depends upon the freedom of the press"

Eighteenth-century political philosophers concerned themselves with the balance between the restrictions needed to make a government function and the individual liberties guaranteed by that government. Jefferson's efforts to protect individual rights including freedom of the press were persistent, pivotal, and not always successful. Jefferson was a staunch advocate of freedom of the press, asserting in a January 28, 1786, letter to James Currie (1745-1807), a Virginia physician and frequent correspondent during Jefferson's residence in France: "our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost."

Jefferson objects to absence of Bill of Rights

Thomas Jefferson's December 20, 1787, letter to James Madison contains objections to key parts of the new Federal Constitution. Primarily, Jefferson noted the absence of a bill of rights and the failure to provide for rotation in office or term limits, particularly for the chief executive. During the writing and ratification of the constitution, in an effort to influence the formation of the new governmental structure, Jefferson wrote many similar letters to friends and political acquaintances in America.

While – reading task

While reading the text, you have to choose one key word from every paragraph.

Post – reading task

You have got the cards with the task. We have just read the text and now let’s complete the sentences. (card #2)

Card #2.

Task: Draw a line under the right answer:

1.    The writer of the Declaration of Independence was ( Thomas Jefferson, John Adams ).

2.    Mr. Jefferson held the position of U.S. minister to ( France, England, Spain ) when the Constitution was written.

3.    Mr. ( Madison, Franklin, Jefferson ) was Secretary of State in Mr. Washington’s Cabinet ).

4.    The ( olive, peach, eagle ) branch is a symbol of America’s desire for peace.

5.    Mr. Jefferson became our ( second, third, fourth ) President in 1801.