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Lesson

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Duration
60 min
Published
Nov 5, 2020
Portrait of a man with light hair, wearing a dark coat and a white cravat, set against a dark background.
What efforts did Thomas Jefferson make to protect individual rights and human liberty during the Founding? And what contradictions exist between his words and his actions?

Founding Principles

Equality, Freedom of Religion, Liberty, Representative / Republican Government

Learning objectives

Students will:

  • appreciate Jefferson’s efforts to protect individual rights and human liberty
  • evaluate the importance of Jefferson’s contributions to the Founding
  • understand Jefferson’s views on the Constitution and a bill of rights
  • explain the apparent contradictions between Jefferson’s words and actions

Materials

Student Handouts

Additional Teacher Resource

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
ActivityHandout B: Vocabulary and Context Questions – Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
ActivityHandout C: In His Own Words: Thomas Jefferson on the Constitution
ActivityHandout D: Analysis: Thomas Jefferson on the Constitution
ActivityThematic Essays – Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Lesson plan

60 minClick a phase to open it

Standards

Advanced Placement

  • CCE

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Related materials

Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, featuring his head and shoulders against a dark background.
FounderThomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson hoped that he would be remembered for three accomplishments: his founding of the University of Virginia, his crafting of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom,