Relating to or characteristic of Thomas Jefferson or his political philosophy emphasizing individual rights, limited government, and democratic principles. Advocating for agrarianism and states' rights.
Named after Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), third President of the United States and primary author of the Declaration of Independence. The adjective form developed in the early 19th century to describe political philosophies aligned with Jefferson's democratic ideals.
Jeffersonian democracy emphasized the 'yeoman farmer' as the ideal citizen - independent, self-sufficient, and uncorrupted by urban commercial interests. This vision shaped American political thought for generations, though Jefferson himself struggled with contradictions between his ideals and realities like slavery.
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