In “American Neoclassicism, The Idealistic Phase”, it emphasizes how Thomas Jefferson would not base his architectural style off anything British related. As an architect, he criticized the classical taste in architecture because it revolved around classic principles, “Classical taste in architecture was epitomized for Jefferson by the classical orders,” (pg. 290). The same is true for his political beliefs. One could go on to say that this is true for all his belief systems. This isn’t a surprise right? After the Revolution, the colonists couldn’t have kept their previous ideals and methods of thought because it would have remained heavily influenced by the British. The colonists’ could not have had a clean break from only the political influence and kept their social influence. Their break from the British is like the Dominos game, where all the pieces have to fall after you push the first piece.
Sarah, I urge you to listen carefully to Prof. Rohn's remarks in class on this topic and consider how you might adjust your reading of this material. The Domino metaphor is correct in some respects, but it does not allow Jefferson himself enough judgment about what to abandon and what to keep. LDL
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