Jeffersonian

The Jeffersonian Ideal - 1700's
Liberty and Literacy for All

Political Economy

Agrarian economy, decentralized republican government.
Family was the basic productive unit of the economy as well as the primary social unit.
Family ruled the transmission of culture, values, and religion. Family life was patriarchal; the husband ruled the family and provided economic sustenance.
Immigration for economic, religious and intellectual reasons. A belief that the U.S. offered abundant land and would allow all Americans to be land owners, would offer independence and freedom , and would enable people to escape the feudalism of Europe.
The 1780 Revolution, independence from England, from the feudal/ traditional system of government which had been transferred. The revolution challenged the special rights of the aristocracy, lack of intellectual freedom, restrictions on civil and political rights of the common man and the belief that only the "well born" could benefit from education.

Ideology
A. Jefferson

1. Classical liberal, opponents were conservatives (supported feudalism.)

2. Main beliefs: Individualism and Representative government

Status: Feudal - birth. Liberal ideology - individualism/capitalism.
Growth of bourgeoisie (banks, craftsmen and traders) challenged feudalism

B. Tenets of Classic Liberalism

1. REASON Commitment to human reason; differed from feudal beliefs that human reason was frail and incapable of guiding human action.

2. NATURAL LAW A belief in a universe governed by natural law -With Newton's publication, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, science began to replace theology as the reliable guide to action and authority of reason.

3. VIRTUE A conception of human virtue (fulfilling one's duties to God) was an important part of their view of nature. Work ethic was important part of virtue.

4. PROGRESS A belief in the inevitability of progress. Instead of a better life after death, liberal faith in progress promised improvement here on earth. Revolution was an important vehicle for progress.

5. NATIONALISM A growing sense of nationalism. Embodied by national policies in defense, in trade, and in acquisition of new land.

6. FREEDOM A multidimensional concept of freedom. Negative freedom was the belief in freedom from government “That government governs best which governs least.” White males had the right to four types of freedom--intellectual, political, civil, and economic. Laissez-Faire: freedom from government regulation. Believed that, if left alone, the market would self regulate for the good of society.

- Jefferson's Plan for Education

State Supported:

1st Tier -All free children, male and female, at no cost for the first 3 years. Curriculum consisted of the 3 R’s and some history. Afterwards, the smartest boys were chosen to continue to grammar school. This screened for future leaders. Up to this point there was little formal education for girls - some schools for girls in New England states.
2nd Tier-Grammar schools which were boarding schools preparing for university. He believed that ages 10-15 were the best for memorization. Languages were the center of the grammar school - Greek, Latin & English grammar.
3rd Tier-University-Believed that education was a prerequisite for leadership
4th Tier-Life long instruction

For all? Opposed slavery but owned 200 hundred slaves. Women, max. 3 years of education. Accepted woman's role as housewife.

Plan for education was not implemented

Objectives for Elementary and University Education in Summary of the 1818 Rockfish Gap Report

Elementary Education Is to Develop in Every Citizen University Education Is to Develop

Information sufficient to transact business	Political Leaders
Writing Skills	Knowledge leading to political freedom
Calculation skills	Understanding to improve the economy
Reading skills	Reason, morals, virtue, and order
Improved morals	Understanding of science and math to promote the general health, security, and comfort
Understanding of duties	Habits of reflection and correct actions in students which render them examples of virtue to others and bring happiness to themselves.
Knowledge of rights
Ability to vote intelligently
Ability to judge office holders' conduct
Ability to fulfill social relationships