Thomas Jefferson faced several key challenges during his presidency. Navigating the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, he dealt with the complexities of territorial expansion while balancing federal authority and states’ rights. Jefferson also confronted the Embargo Act of 1807, an attempt to avoid conflict by prohibiting American trade with Britain and France, which had mixed economic consequences. The War of 1812 loomed as tensions with Britain escalated, posing risks to national stability. Additionally, addressing issues of slavery and its moral implications weighed heavily on his ideology and policies, demonstrating the conflicting values in the founding of the nation.