LITR 4326 Early American Literature Research Posts 2016 (research post assignment) Research Post 1

Thomas Kibodeaux

Thomas Jefferson: Great Isolationist or Non-interventionist

I became aware of the significance of Thomas Jefferson as I began my interest in politics. I had heard of Congressman Ron Paul’s disdain for going into wars such as Vietnam and Afghanistan, and this made me ponder on the reasons behind entering such wars. He mentioned Jefferson and his isolationist standings, both economically and foreign policy-wise. Although he was the first president to enter the U.S. into a foreign war, he is remembered for his non-interventional beliefs. This presents a political paradox amongst principle and practice, not too uncommon amongst politicians, that I believe needed more exploring.

Jefferson states in his inaugural address, "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none” (www.foreignaffairs.com). This reflected Jefferson’s view on foreign policy as one to dismiss alliances, both in trade and war, which would inhibit the nation from retaining peace with other nations, as well as free, unrestricted trade.  Jefferson’s first term in office went particularly well, as he cut military spending, national spending, and reduced the national debt by a third. These policies seemed to work well, especially when compared to his second term, as the Embargo Act is renowned not only as a failed system but completely contradictory to Jefferson’s ideals of a free-trade market. 

As president, Jefferson’s most influential, and criticized, policy decisions revolved around the Embargo Act, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Barbary War. The Embargo Act was an attempt to isolate the nation from the affairs of Britain and France by restricting exports to both countries (thefederalist.com).  Jefferson’s hands were tied in choosing which nation to do trade with, as the other would consider trade “a defacto act of war” (usforeignpolicy.about.com). So, Jefferson chose to do business with neither. This policy ended up isolating U.S. from trade with virtually all nations, and was repealed just before Jefferson left office. The Louisiana Purchase begun as an attempt by Napoleon to sell the now too costly Louisiana Territories for $15 million. Jefferson, normally adhering strictly to the Constitution, figured this purchase too significant to wait for approval, and thus used his implied powers to accept the offer himself, doubling the size of the U.S. The Barbary War was an attempt by Jefferson to extinguish a force of harassing pirates who were seeking payment for American ships to be sailed along their coasts (history.state.gov). Jefferson sent troops to Tripoli, and they were successful in destroying the pirate force. This war led Jefferson to believe that the nation was in need of an institute designed to professionally train military officers and created the United States Military Academy at West Point. (usforeignpolicy.about.com)

Jefferson is the embodiment of the argument of the differences between isolationism and non-interventionalism. For the isolationist side of him reflects the views of the Embargo Act, in which Jefferson chose not to choose between either and restrict the trade in the U.S., which resulted in failure. On the other hand, Jefferson prided himself on the principle of a free market, as in open trade with other nations. Jefferson’s most notable accomplishment, which some might call illegal, was the Louisiana Purchase, which is seen as a huge success. Jefferson saw success when working in a free-market, non-interventional fashion, and experienced failure when forcing the U.S. out of trade with other nations. “It’s no accident that the non-interventionists of today include many libertarians and libertarian-minded Republicans. Their entire worldview is based on a rejection of restrictions on trade at the micro and macro level, and instead trusting people to make wise choices within the global free market leads to better outcomes for all. They understand that a marketplace which is more free and allows for more competition is definitively a better approach than restrictionist solutions. This should serve as another reminder that non-interventionism is not isolationism, nor should the two ever be confused by any responsible commentator” (thefederalist.com).

Works Cited

"Entangling Alliances." Foreign Affairs. 2015. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.

"Thomas Jefferson: The Original Isolationist - The Federalist." The Federalist. 2013. Web. 05     Mar. 2016.

"Thomas Jefferson - People - Department History - Office of the Historian." Thomas Jefferson - People - Department History - Office of the Historian. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.

"Thomas Jefferson." The White House. The White House, 2014. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.

"What Was Thomas Jefferson's Foreign Policy Like?" About.com News & Issues. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.