Thomas Jefferson: First Inaugural Address

Impact

Jefferson's First Inaugural Address completed the peaceful transfer of power from one hostile administration to another, setting a tradition in American politics. In this sense it marked one of the great moments in the history of democratic government. It signaled to Federalists that they had nothing to fear from a vindictive new president and to Democratic-Republicans that they should be just and conciliatory toward their political opponents.

To a great extent, the policies advocated in the inaugural address were those that Jefferson attempted to implement during his administration. Often elements in Jefferson's own political party made it difficult for him to fulfill the pledges in the address. However, by the end of his two terms, Jefferson had followed his own general principles and achieved widespread support from the American public. The Federalist Party was in complete disarray and on the verge of annihilation.