"We are all Republicans; we are all Federalists." -Thomas Jefferson. Assess this statement (AP question)

Thomas Jefferson was elected president of the United States in 1801 representing the Democratic-Republican Party. During his inaugural address he declared "We are all Republicans; we are all Federalists." Follow Federalist president John Adams, Jefferson says this because he wanted a smooth transition of powers. With this quote he promised his people that he would compromise, if necessary, for the sake of unity and he backed up his words with his domestic and foreign policies.

During his first years as president, Jefferson really lived up to his word concerning his domestic policies. Jefferson decided to keep Hamilton's National Bank and debt repayment plan even though he was completely against it. He lowered the national debt from 83 million to 57 million. While in office he also reduced the size of the military. Jefferson was a very intelligent individual and was very wise in his actions. He repealed the Whiskey Tax, which was imposed by the Federalist, but instead of repealing the rest of the acts Adams instated such as the Alien and Sedition Acts, he let them expire.

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One of the Alien and Sedition Acts

Portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale in...

Had he repealed them it probably would have upset the Federalists. As his presidency continued he stuck to his plan, not wavering. For example, when Jefferson was first elected he was not willing to compromise his principals as far as the government power was concerned. He believed that there should be a limit in the central government. This changed after the Louisiana Purchase. By doubling the size of the US with one treaty, he increased the power of the president and central government.

When foreign problems presented themselves during his second term in office, Jefferson's strength was tested and he prevailed, doing what he felt was right for the country not a particular party. A group called the Barbary pirates...