Who Was Thomas Jefferson?

Thomas Jefferson was like a spider sitting in the middle of a triangular web, with the points of the web representing the United States, France and England.

He was a man of letters and wrote extensively to the most prominent politicians, lawyers, educators, scientists and philosophers of his day.

Claudio Saunt joined Dan on the podcast to discuss the United States' expulsion of Native Americans from the East to territories west of the Mississippi River. Justified as a humanitarian enterprise, the undertaking was to be systematic and rational, overseen by Washington’s small but growing bureaucracy. But as the policy unfolded over the next decade, thousands of Native Americans died under the federal government’s auspices, and thousands of others lost their possessions and homelands in an orgy of fraud, intimidation, and violence.

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He was a polymath, an expert in many different areas, including politics, law, architecture, science and philosophy. He was famous for his great reading ability and wonderful library (which after he died became the origin of the Library of Congress).

Jefferson’s house, Monticello, which he designed himself.

Because of this, Thomas Jefferson, the Third President of the United States, can act as a valuable guide to the history of the United States immediately following the Revolution.

Through his many writings, speeches and letters, we can piece together the evidence that helps us understand the foundations of the United States, and understand political, social, religious and economic arguments that are still important in the United States today.

John Adams, one of Jefferson’s closest friends but also one of his most formidable political rivals.

Sitting Bull, best known for his initiative and victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn, is a greatly revered Native American Chief. But he was more than a fierce leader of his people. James is joined by Professor Jeff Olster, who specialises in the impact of the United States on Native Americans between the 18th to 20th centuries.

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