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Compare/Contrast Essay: Abraham Lincoln vs. Thomas Jefferson
Introduction
When American presidents are ranked by historians, the first place is usually given to Abraham Lincoln whereas Thomas Jefferson usually gets his place in the top five. Both of them are renowned for leaving a legacy that is worthy of Presidents’ Day celebrations. However, they accomplished so in completely different ways (Mukunda). Jefferson believed in the foundation of a voluntary republic that encouraged nonviolent secession as a natural right. On the other hand, Lincoln denied the same right due to his belief in the foundation of a permanent empire. This is the reason no one can find a greater visionary conflict than that between Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson throughout the history of the United States of America. However, it is rather astonishing that both men are revered although there was a significant contrast in their philosophies. Whereas Jefferson’s blunt dedication for political autonomy strengthened America’s philosophical foundations; Lincoln’s denial of the same right transformed America into an empire (Eboch).
It is not an untold secret that the discussed American presidents took entirely different paths for transforming the American republic and nation. Jefferson was all geared up for taking the office more than any other American president. He had rendered his services as a significant Continental Congress member, emissary to France, Secretary of State, Virginia’s Governor, and Vice President. It was made clear to American nation that they were right in choosing him as their President, after he got elected in 1801. As predicted, the ample gifts of wisdom and intelligence possessed by Jefferson produced an unbeaten and triumphant presidency. However, the Louisiana Purchase made his era an extraordinary time in the American history (Mukunda).
On the other hand, Lincoln is considered the least prepared candidate to take White House as President. Unlike Jefferson, his political career comprised of a single Congress term. Lincoln was given the ticket “as the Republican nominee over former New York governor and U.S. senator William Henry Seward, the front-runner, largely because his abbreviated record allowed him to position himself as the least anti-slavery — and therefore most moderate — Republican” (Mukunda). After becoming the President of the United States of America, Lincoln demonstrated more dedication to oppose slavery. He maintained the Union enthusiastically. Moreover, his tactical and political intellect turned out to be a vital element in the victory of Union’s Civil War (Mukunda).
It is said that even though the Louisiana Purchase was Jefferson’s greatest accomplishment, it would have taken place even without him. If Jefferson had not been in the office, it is expected that either James Madison or John Adams would have been the American President when the selling of Louisiana territory was proposed by Napoleon. This is because both the mentioned individuals were in support of the purchase. It is likely that the same execution would have been possible if either of them were president. On the other hand, the Civil War’s conclusion would have been very different without Lincoln. This is because Lincoln presented the idea of sending provisions to the besieged fort. It was a brilliant strategy to goad Southern forces as they fired the Civil War’s first shots. Lincoln’s tactic made the North united (Gienapp). If there would have been any other President instead of Lincoln, the consequences would have been completely different.
Besides the Louisiana Territory purchase from France in 1803 (Goldberg 38), Jefferson accomplished a number of successes domestically. Unlike his antecedent, John Adams, Jefferson became the advocate of states’ rights over governmental institutions. He was also able to bring a drastic change in the federal government by cutting its spending significantly. He also made a twenty five percent reduction in the national debt. In contrast, Lincoln accomplished much more as a president. He was responsible for the Emancipation Proclamation issuance which gave Army the authority to provide protection to escaped slaves. The same Proclamation also gave encouragement to Border States for outlawing slavery. In addition, Lincoln abolished slavery in the United States of America on a permanent basis after signing the 13th Amendment (Holzer & Wayne). He was also the creator of the first income tax. He introduced this tax for financing the expenses of Union in the Civil War (Eig 23).
Conclusion
Works Cited
Eboch, J. "Jefferson vs Lincoln: America Must Choose." Tenth Amendment Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2014. <http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2010/02/20/jefferson-vs-lincoln-america-must-choose/>.
Eig, Jonathan. Get Capone: The Secret Plot that Captured America's Most Wanted gangster. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010. Print.
Gienapp, William E.. Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America: A Biography. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print.
Goldberg, Jan. The Louisiana Purchase: A Primary Source History of Jefferson's Landmark Purchase from Napoleon. New York: Rosen Pub. Group, 2004. Print.
Holzer, Harold, and Ind Wayne. Lincoln and Freedom: Slavery, Emancipation, and The Thirteenth Amendment. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2007. Print.
Mukunda, G. "Jefferson and Lincoln: Different Leaders for Different Times."Fortune . N.p., 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 29 Oct. 2014. <http://fortune.com/2013/02/18/jefferson-and-lincoln-different-leaders-for-different-times/>.
