Jeffersonian Republicans Loose Construction Of The Constitution example essay topic

AP AM HISTORY DB 3 - (An A+ Essays Original Paper, written by Zoo Patrol) With respect to the federal constitution, the Jeffersonian Republicans are usually characterized as strict constructionists who were opposed to the broad construction ism of the Federalists. To what extent was this characterization of the two parties accurate during the presidencies of Jefferson and Madison. Before 1801, the Jeffersonian Republicans were usually strict constructionists of the constitution. However during the presidencies of Jefferson and Madison they had to adopt some Federalist ideas. In many instances, the two parties completely interchanged their views on the construction of the constitution. During that period of time it was difficult to characterize anyone as a member of either the Federalist or Republican party based on how they interpreted the constitution.

The best example of Jefferson adopting Federalist ideas is the Louisiana Purchase. From the beginning Jefferson only wanted New Orleans and as much land east if the Florida as possible. However instead he was offered the New Orleans and a huge portion of land to the west, which almost doubled the size of the United States. However the was nothing in the constitution which allowed the president to purchase of additional land. In a letter he said "It is the case of a guardian, investing the money of his ward in purchasing an important adjacent territory; and saying to him when of age, I did this for your good" (Jefferson). Jefferson knew that American farmers needed more land, and he had to go against his belief of a strict constitution.

However during the same time the Federalists became strict constructionists of the constitution. They argued that this transfer of land was unconstitutional. The Federalists said that this new land was worthless and would only put the country even more in debt. Their main reason for that was that the creation of new states would decrease their power in congress. The Louisiana Purchase was not the only time Jefferson adopted the ideas of federalists about loose construction of the constitution. After he was reelected, war soon broke out in Europe between English and French.

British needed more manpower and financial aid for the war soon began impressing American sailors and stealing their cargo. This made trade between the United States and Europe unsafe. Jefferson did not wish to go to war, so he decided to cut off al the export of goods from the United States. With the passing of this Embargo Act, Jefferson again switched to the loose construction of the Federalists. The New England Federalists did not favor the Embargo. It completely disabled their economy and, as well as that of people in the western territory.

The New England states criticized the embargo, and even wanted to part from the union because of it. The Jeffersonian Republicans of Virginia, however advocated the Embargo, even though at the same time they were supporting loose construction of the constitution. During Madison's presidency, when the war with England broke out, the Federalists again adopted the republican ideas. Their main reason was that they did not wish to send their men to fight a war that they thought was useless.

.".. Where is it written in the constitution, in what article or section is it contained, that you may take children from their parent, and parents from their children, and compel them to fight battles of any war... ". said Daniel Webster, a Federalist from New Hampshire. Even though he considered himself a Federalist, the ideas he stated in his speech are mostly Republican. James Madison, who himself used to be a Federalist, now was acting as a Republican. For example, after receiving a bill from congress proposing the issuing of funds for the construction of roads and canals. However Madison vetoed it.

In his reply to Congress, Madison said, .".. seeing that such a power is not given expressly by the Constitution, and believing that it can not be deducted from any part of it... I have no option but to withhold my signature from it... ". We can see that during the presidencies of Jefferson and Madison it was hard to distinguish a Federalist from a Republican when comparing their views on the construction of the constitution.

In many cases Federalists argued for a strict constitution, to limit the power of congress and the president. And likewise the Jeffersonian Republicans sometimes wanted the constitution to be interpreted more loosely, allowing the government more freedom.