Thomas Jefferson wrote that all men are created equal, but he owned hundreds of slaves. He believed in a weak federal government, but...

Thomas Jefferson probably did not consider himself a hypocrite. While he wrote that all men were created equal, this, to the founding fathers, meant that all white men who owned property were created equal. Slavery was commonly used throughout the South, and it was an acceptable form of labor for that time period in southern society.

Jefferson also wanted a weak federal government and in some ways, this occurred. He did reduce taxes. For example,...

Thomas Jefferson probably did not consider himself a hypocrite. While he wrote that all men were created equal, this, to the founding fathers, meant that all white men who owned property were created equal. Slavery was commonly used throughout the South, and it was an acceptable form of labor for that time period in southern society.

Jefferson also wanted a weak federal government and in some ways, this occurred. He did reduce taxes. For example, the tax on whiskey ended. He also reduced the size of the military and reduced the number of federal workers. While the Louisiana Purchase increased the power of the federal government since he used a power not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, it shows that there are times when a president needs to make decisions that go against his personal beliefs if the action is in the best interests of the country. Abraham Lincoln was against slavery, yet he allowed slavery to exist where it was already established when he took office. There are times when the President must put aside his own beliefs and do what is best for the country.