| Summary: | This article examines Thomas Jefferson's perspective on poverty in early America. Jefferson believed that poverty was a problem that needed to be addressed and that capable individuals had a responsibility to assist the needy. However, his definition of poverty was limited to white male laborers, excluding women, children, slaves, and Native Americans. Jefferson supported localized poor relief systems and viewed beggars as immoral and outside the organized charity system. He recognized the challenges faced by farmers and planters who struggled to make ends meet. Despite his optimism about the American poor-relief system, poverty remained a persistent issue in the country.
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