An Analysis Of Jefferson's Idea Of The American West

Thomas Jefferson has far-reaching influence on west development and American society, and his series actions of performance have close connection with his idea of the west. Accordingly, this paper wants to make a research on Jefferson's idea of the American west, and make proper comments on it.The thesis consists of four parts: preface, text, conclusion and appendix.It begins with a brief introduction, introducing the motivation that the author selects this topic to discuss and the current research of Sino-America academic communities. The main body is made up of four parts:Part one introduces the contents and expressions of Jefferson's idea of the West, including territorial expansion, racial and religious assimilation .By analysis, we can reach the conclusion that idea of the West is an expansion in essence.Part two analyses the conditioning factors of Jefferson's idea of the West from two respects, one focusing on background and the other on Jefferson's personal experience. After the Independent Revolution, the potential threat of European colonization in American west and the desire of Americans to extensive space promote the formation of Jefferson's idea of the West, while his experience and education affect idea of the West.Part three retraces the practice of idea of the West from three respects, such as Louisiana Purchase, Lewis-Clark expedition and the policy toward Indians, and then reveals the real motivation of Jefferson's idea of the West, namely, establishes an agricultural empire all over the North America.Part four summarizes the influence of Jefferson's idea of the West: it promotes the process of westward expansion, accelerates the decline of Indian civilization and affects the change of sectional pattern in America.The conclusion sums up the whole paper, confirms the importance of it, and points out the necessity of deep research, such as, the decolonization in North America, its impact on the slavery and so on.