Introduction From 1800 to 1820, America was still in its growth phase; it had gained independence only 25 years earlier and was already becoming a great nation full of proud, hard-working men. Art, architecture, business and books were all an important part of society. 80% of the population were farmers, and the importation of slaves into America was banned. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison had each been elected president, in a government that was beginning to build a nation. “During this decade we were once again at war with England, in the War of 1812” (Sutton, 2008). Colleges were for the privileged: “The cost of a Harvard education was $300 a year” (Sutton, 2008). Slavery was still rampant in America and women had no rights. Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 to a prominent planter on the Shadwell Plantation located in Virginia. As a young man he studied mathematics, several languages ​​and literature. He then attended the “College of William and Mary in Williamsburg” (Biography.com, 2014). Jefferson became part of an elite group including the lawyer George Wythe. “After three years at William and Mary, Jefferson decided to study law under Wythe, one of the most eminent lawyers of the American colonies” (Biography.com, 2014). In 1772 he married the recently widowed Martha Skelton, and together they conceived six children. By 1763, Great Britain was in debt for defending its American colonies from the French and Indians; then, they imposed the Stamp Act of 1765 to collect taxes from the American colonies. Thomas Jefferson strongly opposed taxation; he chose to fight against the English with his written words. “In 1774, Jefferson wrote his first major political work, "A Summary View ...... middle of paper ......ut/presidents/thomasjeffersonKindig, T. (1995, July 4). "Statement of John Trumbull of Independence, July 4, 1776". Retrieved April 13, 2014, from US History: http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/trumbull.htmPBS.ORG. (nd). Only a Teacher. Retrieved April 13 2014, from PBS.ORG: http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/horace.htmlSnyder, D. (2009, October 26) Education's Historic Shift (Part III) Retrieved April 13, 2014, from Pondering Principles: http :/ /ponderingprinciples.com/2009/10/26/Sutton, B.G. (2008). Retrieved April 29, 2014, from Lone Star College-Kingwood Library: http://wwwappskc.lonestar.edu/popculture/ Monticello (n.d.).