Download Look closely at the views of this foreign traveler and an American

Look closely at the views of this foreign traveler and an American politician on
republicanism in Jeffersonian America. Do these criticisms indicate that Jefferson's
election in 1800 was a realization of the democratic ideals of the Revolution? How else can
Jefferson's election be considered a revolution?
The traveler certainly did not appreciate the America that was governed by Thomas Jefferson
and his Democratic-Republicans. He was appalled by the familiarity of the working class as well
as the outspoken tendency of the young people “whose dress indicated wealthy parents” (Charles
William Janson). The rough and tumble appearance of the place where the country had chosen as
their capital (Washington) shocked him and he indicated that this was not the proper display of
respect and honor. The descriptions of the traveler were part of the revolutionary feel that existed
prior to the revolutionary war.
The politician saw Jefferson’s party as a party which benefitted the few. He saw them as
“opposers” of Washington (who could be said to represent revolution). He claimed that the
government of Jefferson had not lessened the bounds of government on the people, but rather
had tightened them. He certainly had it backwards as the Democratic-Republican party
encouraged the rule of the many and not the few.
Neither view saw Jefferson and his Democratic-Republicans as leaders of the revolution because
they appear not to have understood what “revolution” means. They appear to have wanted the
government to return to the status quo that existed before the defeat of the Federalists and
become Federalists themselves. The election of Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans was
more of a rebellion than a revolution, but served the same purpose … give the government back
to the control of the people and their states.