Henry David Thoreau and Thomas Jefferson were two of the most brilliant thinkers that this country has ever experienced. Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience are good examples of how similar these two men’s thoughts and ideas were, but at the same time, their differences are rather striking in some of their other writings. One of the most monumental differences is their logic on the ownership of land. However, both Jefferson and Thoreau valued small time farming, such as the yeoman farmers and their independence. However, their views on farming were vastly different when discussing the financial aspects of farming. Jefferson and Thoreau were spiritual men, and both had a strong relationship with God. Jefferson’s and Thoreau’s vision of property and independence was highly influential to the American culture.
Jefferson believed that farming was a necessity and that it helped maintain a stable economy for the country. As a farmer, Jefferson loved to plant new crops and enjoyed learning the different techniques of agriculture. Along with his farming career, Jefferson was also a politician. As a politician, Jefferson wanted the yeoman farmers to begin taking the place of tenant farmers. Jefferson wanted to take part in this action because yeoman farmers owned their land and did not rent their land unlike the tenant farmers. In an article written about Jefferson and his writings it is stated that the “vision of a nation of small-holding farmers [as] merely an available example for approximating his primary goal: free and universal access to the common” (Erkkila 283). Jefferson’s statement discussed a farmer’s productivity on their property and the farmers’ ownership of their land. Jefferson was trained on copious amounts of agricultural landscapes. He absorbed many useful farming techniques and strategies to make full use of said landscapes. He was trained on many fields where he once farmed and learned many useful farming techniques. His farming experience is why he is so passionate about farming.
Jefferson was passionate about farming because he deeply believed that the people who labored in the fields and on the land were the chosen people of God: “Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God, if ever He had a chosen people, whose breasts He has made his peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue” (Query XIX 721). Jefferson went on later to say that, “Corruption of morals in the mass of cultivators is a phenomenon of which no age nor nation has furnished an example” (Query XIX 721). Jefferson’s statement demonstrates his love of farming. Jefferson once wrote a letter to Thomas Pinckney from Monticello in 1795, in which he said, “I am entirely a farmer, soul and body, never scarcely admitting a sentiment on any other subject” (Smith). Jefferson, therefore, viewed himself as a farmer and had great love for the agricultural industry.
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Although farming was extremely important to Jefferson, Thoreau’s ideation of farming was the same as Jefferson’s, in matters of producing crops. However, Thoreau was more concerned about the restraints of ownership and freedom rather than using a farm to produce profit. Thoreau knew profit could be made in the agricultural industry, but he believed that it was dangerous for the freedom of farmers and as well as the financial aspects of farming. Farming was dangerous in Thoreau’s opinion because as a farmer, there is always a chance of running into debt.
Thoreau believed in farming, and that it was necessary, but he believed that farming was not one of the main keys to success for the nation. Thoreau believed in a nation of freedom, meaning that people’s obligations should not interfere with their freedom of life. Thoreau realized that farming took away freedom which went entirely against his ideation on how people should live their lives. Thoreau used nature in a different way other than farming. In one of Thoreau’s most famous writings, Walden, he states that, “The farmer is endeavoring to solve the problem of a livelihood by a formula more complicated than the problem itself” (986). Thoreau returns to the evils of ownership when he states, “This is the reason he is poor; and for a similar reason we are all poor in respect to a thousand savage comforts, though surrounded by luxuries” (987).
Thoreau believed that farmers complicated their problems by pushing themselves in debt, this is the main reason why he stated that farmers will continue to be poor. Thoreau’s beliefs explained that it is not just the farmers who could not resolve their own problem, but he also says that, “for a similar reason we are all poor in respect.” Thoreau is speaking for not only the farmers, but also for people like himself who often seem like they are overreacting to the situation at hand. As a transcendentalist, Thoreau valued the hard-working farmers of the country, but he always put nature and freedom first. Although he respected farmers, he never fully comprehended the role of farmers and the impact farming had on the country.
Jefferson’s vision of farming was equivalent to most other radicals during this time. Jefferson understood the concept of farming and believed that he himself, was a farmer. He advocated for the farmers and their individual needs. Jefferson represented the farming industry because he believed that farming was and always would be needed to help continuously grow and develop the nation’s economy. Jefferson emphasizes how important agriculture is in a letter to George Washington, Jefferson said that, “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to wealth, good morals, and happiness” (Smith). Jefferson’s statement explains his rationale for this belief and is a demonstration of how meaningful the farming industry was to him. Jefferson believed a country’s economy driven by agriculture would provide a stable economic system for a newly founded country. Jefferson also wrote a letter to John Jay, who at the time, was Chief Justice of the United States, explaining the importance of farmers saying that, “Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous…” (Thomas Jefferson). Jefferson defines why these farmers are the most hard-working people on earth and why they are so valuable to the new nation. Jefferson understood the importance of farming and that is why he repeatedly kept trying to protect and praise the diligent farmers.
Although Thoreau never seemed to value farmers as to what Jefferson did, he did acknowledge that farmers were an essential resource for the country. Thoreau had a transcendent mindset which allowed people to gain knowledge about God and faith by constantly being involved in nature. Farming was not one of Thoreau’s top priorities even though he did seem to think that it was good for the economy. Thoreau explained that in farming there are profits to be made and that is why farming can be very beneficial for the economy. Although Thoreau realized that farmers can make profit off their crops, he believed that farmers were still some of the poorest people on earth. Having ownership of land can be risky for farmers because they run the risk of falling into debt. This is why Thoreau does not fully agree with farming and having ownership of land. In Thoreau’s Resistance to Civil Government, he stated “A hundred thousand merchants and farmers here, who are more interested in commerce and agriculture than they are in humanity…” (956). Thoreau’s statement explains his opinion based on why humanity is far more important than farming is in his mind. While it appears evident that Thoreau believed that farming is necessary, he also believed our nation needed to focus on more important things in life such as humanity.
Jefferson and Thoreau both had their own opinions regarding farming, but their thoughts also shared commonalities. Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience are examples of their similar thinking. For example, both authors are sharing their ideas of revolution which appear to be comparable to each other. Although this is a valid example, the best correlation between Jefferson and Thoreau is their faith in God. Jefferson and Thoreau both have a strong connection with God. They express their belief in God in many of their writings. As Jefferson stated, “Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God…” (Query XIX 721). This statement demonstrates Jefferson’s respect for farmers and his relationship with God. Thoreau’s transcendent thinking allowed him to connect and strengthen his relationship with God while he enjoyed nature. Although Thoreau’s belief and relationship with God appeared stronger than Jefferson’s bond with God, it is evident that both authors believed in God and that God was our creator.
While Jefferson and Thoreau shared similarities, they also had differences, as well. It is a revealing fact that Jefferson believed that farming was essential for the country to maintain a stable economy. Jefferson believed that farming was a great way for Americans to gain wealth and establish good morals. He believed that laboring in the fields and becoming wealthier, that it would produce more happiness for the new nation. Thoreau did not share have the perspective on farming. Unlike Jefferson, Thoreau did not believe in the ownership of land. Thoreau believed that obtaining ownership of land or property was rather dangerous. He also viewed the farming aspect to be dangerous as well.
Thoreau believed that farming and ownership was dangerous because of the risk of falling into debt. This is the main discrepancy that sets Jefferson and Thoreau apart. Jefferson believed that farming developed a substantial amount of wealth, while Thoreau’s opinion stated just the opposite. Thoreau’s transcendent thinking believes that hard labor and farming is not the key to success. He believed that a relationship with God and happiness was cultivated through experiencing nature. Throughout his many writings, Thoreau discussed why he believed a transcendent mindset was the correct way to go about life and why others should be influenced to do the same.
Jefferson and Thoreau both have many astounding thoughts, ideas, and writings. Both authors had many of the same beliefs whether it was about religion or revolution. Their points of view on farming may have differed, but it does not take away from either one of their opinions because both men are very intelligent, and both of their views have merit. When taking both perspectives on farming, Jefferson’s vision resembled Thoreau’s vision on farming, but their views also demonstrated their differences as well. Even though these two men had their differences, both of their thoughts and opinions were influential to many people and is one of the main reasons why these two men are still highly respected to this day. Jefferson’s and Thoreau’s life works still influence and inspire many people and will continue to impact people for many years to come.
