Thomas Jefferson Quotes
Repel force by force
This appears to be the first American utterance of a longstanding doctrine of foreign policy.
Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826, 3rd President of the United States (Democratic Republican, VA), Jefferson’s instructions regarding the Barbary pirates who we’re attacking American shipping in the Middle East, 1801, .
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
At the time, Jefferson was the Governor of Virginia and the Indians and white settlers in the Western part of the state were coming into increasing conflict. This rather heartless and blood thirsty quotation of Jefferson’s surprises many of his great admirers. Especially because of his historical sophisticated and empathetic way he treated Indians. See {589102}, {589103}, {589113}, {589125}, and {605068}. Jefferson saw Indians much like he saw whites—differentially. Some were friends, some neutral, and some dangerous enemies. His wish to exterminate or ethnically cleanse these Indians was limited to these Indians—not to Indians in general. Nonetheless, it shows a violent side of Jefferson that was in play with enemies. As President, he was aggressive against the Muslim Pirates (see {623707} and {617123}).
Shortly after, he backed off the notion of having a bloodbath removing protesting students.
Many radicals of the day argued that violence was a legitimate form of protest and self defense. Goldman urged then not to advocate violence because under the then existing law and practical considerations, that gave the law enforcement authorities the tools to persecute the dissidents.
The highest court in New York.
- Born: April 13, 1743
- Died: July 4, 1826
- Nationality: American
- Profession: President
Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He had previously served as the second vice president of the United States under John Adams between 1797 and 1801. The principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was a proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, motivating American colonists to break from the Kingdom of Great Britain and form a new nation; he produced formative documents and decisions at both the state and national levels.
