Thomas Jefferson Quotes
The spirit of this country is totally adverse to a large military force.
Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826, 3rd President of the United States (Democratic Republican, VA), Letter to Chandler Price, 1807
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Greek invaders were marching on Istanbul
This size standing army which alarmed so many at the beginning of the 20th century, looked very small when compared with the standing army of America a century later. For earlier American Politician’s views on a standing army, see {592824}, {631687}, {622888}, and {641008}.
Since the Partition of India to create the state of Pakistan, Pakistan has wanted to integrate the Muslims—especially near the border. However, many Indian Muslims did not choose to leave India for the new Islamic nation. Pakistan has had designs on some of the Indian areas and has maintained a very large army.
Then Chief of Staff of the Army, he was asking for a large military appropriation.
Commenting on the hostilities between the Baltic states and the Russian government:
The notion of America flexing its military muscles and intimidating other nations by sending a fleet of 16 battle ships around the world was not greeted enthusiastically by some. However in Japan, the reaction was totally positive. The Russo-Japanese War had been ended thanks to the mediation of Theodore Roosevelt (for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize) and America was a model for much of Japan’s modernization. 25 years later the Japanese would view America as an interfering, intimidating bully, curtailing their national aspirations and rights.
Four years later the President embarked on a nation-building effort in Iraq which was beset with many problems.
Neville Chamberlain is viewed in Britain as one of the worst appeasers of all time. He refused to fulfill the obligations of Great Britain when Hitler invaded parts of Europe. He appeased Hitler because he wanted to avoid war and is a historical icon of a person who would do anything to avoid war.
of the Chinese Kuomintang government under Chiang Kai-shek. The only soldier ever so honored
On military or foreign policy matters his view was that presidents ought not to rule anything in or out so that he/she can keep all the options open and not reduce future flexibility.
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.
