Dbq Compare And Contrast Jeffersonian Republicans And Federalists

Between 1801 and 1817, the two parties the Jeffersonian Republicans and Federalists seemed to have changed their views on the issue of whether the constitution should be loosely interpreted, or strictly interpreted. The Democratic-Republicans originally prided themselves in having strict constructionist beliefs, but however, as time went on, they seemed to have adopted a broader outlook. The Federalists, who favored a looser perspective on the interpretation of the construction, adopted a more strict interpretation. Whenever the members of these parties had to change their perspective in order to suit their needs, they seemed to have no qualms in doing so.

Before Jefferson's own presidency, he was a large advocator of strict constitutionalism. In 1800, he wrote a letter to Gideon Granger, telling him that he believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution. He is a large advocator of state rights, and he states that he is not in favor of a strong national government. In the end of this letter, Jefferson states that "the true theory of the constitution is surely the wisest and best". (Document A)

In 1808, Jefferson follows the same view. In his letter to Samuel Miller, he strictly interprets the constitution as being the ultimate authority, and leaving the states the power that the government can not harness, such as anything to do with
religious affairs. Before Jefferson's presidency and real call to power, Jefferson's favor of strict constitutionalism remained. (Document B)

But, that all changed once Jefferson was president. His advocacy of a strict interpretation of the Constitution was out of the picture. In his first term of his presidency, he committed two acts which were not appropriate for a man with a strict perspective of the Constitution. These two acts were sending armed forces in order to battle the Barbary Pirates, to end paying ransom to them. Although this action was one of Jefferson's more successful actions, Jefferson did not consult Congress before taking it. Secondly, in undisclosed discussions, Jefferson agreed to buy the Louisiana Territory from France, for $15 million. In the constitution it says nothing about using the nation's funds to buy land. However, this offer was obviously too good for Jefferson to refuse, and his "manifest destiny" caused him to change his views, which he announces in 1816, to Samuel Kerchehval, when he speaks about favoring a looser version of the constitution, to "keep pace with the times." Therefore, Jefferson's views on the interpretation of the constitution are contradictory, for they change with whatever suits him best.

John Randolph sees that Jefferson's interpretation is changing, and he states this to the House. He speaks about the Tariff of 1816, and the harm it will cause most people, except for a few factory owners. However, the House of Democratic-Republicans does not care for Randolph's advice, for they only care about power. Power seemed to play a big role in Jefferson's decisions. (Document F)

Madison, in his early years favored a broad interpretation of the constitution.
He favored central power, national rights, etc. By the 1790s however, Madison's views seemed to change drastically. He became a stronger advocate of states' rights, and began to interpret the constitution more rigidly. As can be seen in Madison's message to Congress regarding an Internal Improvements Bill, March 1817, Madison explicitly states that he can not favor the bill, because there is no power expressed in the Constitution which gives him the right to do so. Therefore, Madison, like Jefferson was not firm in his beliefs either. (Document
H)

The Federalist and the Democratic-Republicans seemed to change their views as staying in power dictated them to do so. Neither party was so "firm" in their beliefs, therefore, it is impossible to state the either party as a whole favored strict or broad constitutionalism. Therefore, this common stereotype must be extinguished, for this portrayal of Madison and Jefferson is untrue.