Thomas Jefferson in France
BANNER LECTURE AT THE VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Richmond, Virginia
September 11, 2014
In which author James Thompson discusses the people Thomas Jefferson met and the social and intellecutal circles he joined during his five years in France (1784-1789).
The author reviews the intellectual revolution that began in France in the mid- 18th century, its core ideas, and how, when Jefferson arrived in the French capital, it was seething with social unrest and sharpening demands for political change.
He explains how Jefferson became acquainted with the enlightened French concept of Progress and how he joined a reform move- ment led by three of France’s most brilliant and influential men.
He explains that Jefferson became active in this revolutionary enterprise, that during his invovlement in this mission, he transformed from the secretive recluse he was during the Amerian Revolution and became active advocate for his political visions, and that this transformation allowed him to wage his “seond American Revolution” against Alexander Hamilton, his federalist programs, and the Federalist President who succeeded George
Washington in 1797.
Watch at:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?321194-1/discussion-thomas-jefferson-france
