The Tree of Liberty by Thomas Jefferson

The Note from Thomas Jefferson to William Smith

The note that Thomas Jefferson sent to William Smith in Paris is the main subject of this essay. One of the founding leaders of the United States and an American statesman was named William Smith. He has a significant impact on the struggle for American freedom. He served as the country’s third ruler. Jefferson justifies the Shay uprising in Massachusetts in his letter to William Smith by attributing merit to its quest for liberty.

Thomas Jefferson: A Founding Leader

One of the founding leaders of the United States was Thomas Jefferson. He was the primary creator of the Declaration of Independence and a statesman in the United States. He later served as the first vice president under President Adams Johns from 1797 to 1801. He later became the third president of the United States. Thomas Jefferson is remembered as a tireless proponent of democracy and republicanism. He motivated Americans to break away from colonial Britain and an independent nation, the current United States. “The tree of life speech” was a letter from Thomas Jefferson to William Smith in Paris. Thomas was against the oppressive British rule in the United States and therefore called on his fellow Americans to resist the British rule (Brubaker, 2015).

Shay’s Rebellion and its Significance

Two significant events had happened in the United States at the time Jefferson wrote the letter to William’s Smith; the first event was the brutal suppression of an uprising in Massachusetts called Shay’s rebellion. At the time, Jefferson was in Europe, where he got wind of these events both from mail and from the newspapers. Thomas Jefferson comments about the uprising citing that he wasn’t surprised that it happened. According to him, rebellions are bound to come whenever people feel a superior party is threatening their liberty (Holowchak, 2014). In this case, America was under the British colonial rule.

The Core of Jefferson’s Speech

Before Shay rebellion, the colony had been peaceful for decades. Jefferson cited that the reason for the rebellion may not be valid, but it’s an indication of people’s right to liberty. He further reason that the best course of action is seeking alternative means of communication rather than open rebellion. The core of the speech was the famous quote ”The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants.” In this statement, Jefferson meant that liberty comes at a process. When the people relax and let the rulers be, there won’t be liberty (Burstein, 2015). He goes further to state that the tree of liberty should be colored with the blood of tyrants and patriots. This Quote means that there is no peace without war. Jefferson implies that liberty is only achieved when blood is spilled, either that of the tyrants or the Patriots, or both. In this statement, he justifies the rebellions by making them necessary towards the achievement of liberty (Holowchak, 2014).

Oppressive Rule and the Justification of Rebellion

As much as the main reception of the letter was William Smith, the speech was addressed to the American justifying the significance of rebellion against oppressive rule. The British were characterized by oppressive rules such as heavy taxation on farmers among others. Jefferson was justifying Shay’s rebellion by stating that whenever there is oppression; rebellions are bound to happen sooner or later.

The English Notion of Anarchy

During this period, the Americans had realized the need for independence from the British colonial rule. However, they sought a leader who would lead them towards total and open rebellion against the oppressive rule of the British. The notion of anarchy had taken root in England. This belief had has been so strong that it led to the display of the same notion to the United States. Jefferson’s letter indicates that the English nation had misunderstood the idea of anarchy. The citizens of England believed in it, and so did the Americans (Brubaker, 2015). He, however, implies that he is against anarchy and seeks freedom and liberty for the American people. In his letter to William Smith in Paris, Thomas Jefferson implies that the people need to rise against oppression regardless of the price they have to pay. This statement point is stipulated in the quote which states that the tree of liberty needs to be refreshed by the blood of tyrants and patriots.

The Price of Liberty

From the letter, Jefferson implies that liberty does not come without a price. The price indicated on the message is the blood of patriot and tyrants. This statement indicates that liberty comes at a high price and costs the lives of the tyrants and the loyal citizens of the country. Jefferson also stipulates that rebellion sets the rulers right by reminding them that liberty of a country is preserved through resistance. Jefferson implies that the people should not be afraid of the rulers that the rulers should be afraid of the people (Burstein, 2015).

Conclusion

It can, therefore, be deduced that Thomas Jefferson letter to William Smith wasn’t entirely meant for him but was a message to both the British colonial rulers and the American people. The letter justified the Shay rebellion and explained its significance to the American people. The main message from the letter was that liberty comes at a cost, and if the American people seek independence, they need to sacrifice both their lives and the lives of their rulers. Although Jefferson agrees that the rebellion in Massachusetts was founded on wickedness, he justifies the rebellion by stating that it was necessary for the delivery of liberty. He understands the need for active communication between the tyrant leadership and the people but also recognizes the need for rebellion as a means of achieving freedom.

References

Brubaker, E. (2015). Captain America: Reborn (Vol. 1). Marvel Entertainment.

Burstein, A. (2015). Democracy’s Muse: How Thomas Jefferson Became an FDR Liberal, a Reagan Republican, and a Tea Party Fanatic, All the While Being Dead. University of Virginia Press.

Holowchak, M. A. (2014). Thomas Jefferson: Uncovering His Unique Philosophy and Vision. Prometheus Books.