People who changed the United States

People who changed the United States

A list of over 50 people who changed America and helped to influence the United States.

18th Century

Thomas Jefferson  (1743-1826) was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, which asserted rights and freedoms of American citizens. Thomas Jefferson passed the Statue of Religious Liberty for Virginia, which was an early right to give freedom of worship. Jefferson was president 1800-1808 and oversaw the expansion of American territory in the West.
Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was an English-American political writer. His pamphlet Common Sense (1776) helped create public support for the idea of American independence from Great Britain. He wrote many articles in support of political revolution and republican ideals.