Preview

Thomas Jefferson: Should The Constitution Be Interpreted?

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
339 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Thomas Jefferson: Should The Constitution Be Interpreted?
Before presidency, Thomas Jefferson believed that the constitution should be interpreted very strictly, but during his presidency his views were flipped. James Madison, on the other hand, believed that the constitution should be interpreted loosely before and during his presidency.
Before Jefferson was elected, he, and the majority of the Jeffersonian Republicans, believed that the constitution should be interpreted very strictly. He believed that there was a necessity for “preservation of the Federal Constitution, according to its obvious principles” (Jefferson Document A). Jefferson writes of how a large portion of citizens (Federalists such as Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison) “support principles that go directly to a
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Dbq On Thomas Jefferson Strict Constructionists
    • 817 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Dbq On Thomas Jefferson Strict Constructionists

    Jefferson, for example, could not immediately abolish Adams' national bank because it would be too drastic a move for someone with his popularity, despite the fact that it was established without the Constitution granting that power to the federal government (Blum). Jefferson's most grand defiance of his strict interpretation of the Constitution was his purchase of the Louisiana Territory. Even though he was not given the power to purchase land in the Constitution, Jefferson couldn't pass up the opportunity to double the nation's size at a time of such large-scale westward movement. After his presidency (1816), Jefferson wrote a letter to Samuel Kercheval (document G) that gave his support for change to the Constitution with change to the times, which is a very far leap from claiming that nothing could be done in the national government without the Constitution granting them the power to do it. Madison is guilty of the same deviations from typical Republican strict constructionist policy. He was attacked by John Randolph (document F) for being too much like a Federalist, particularly when using the national government's power to set tariffs like the one proposed in 1816. This was not the first time Madison was attacked for his pseudo-Federalist policies. He received abundant criticisms…

    • 817 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Loose Constructionists Dbq Analysis
    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Loose Constructionists Dbq Analysis

    Jefferson originally began as a strict state’s rights advocate. He only accepted the Constitution with a guarantee of the Bill of Rights that reversed many Federalists policies, (Doc. A).Jefferson supported the separation of government and religion that can be seen in the Bill of Rights that promised freedom of religion. However as President he did not make major changes in the government.…

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Why Is Thomas Jefferson Considered A Strict Interpretation Of The Central Government
    • 811 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Why Is Thomas Jefferson Considered A Strict Interpretation Of The Central Government

    He believed it gave too much power to the central government, and left the states with little say. Jefferson could be compared to a “Republican” of today, or one that follows a strict interpretation of the government. This strict interpretation meant that the central government was not around to babysit the people, but rather to handle nationwide affairs while state government performs most of the work. This strict reading of the constitution led to a hatred for the Excise tax, which allotted too much power to the central government in controlling economic affairs. As Jefferson himself put it, “ he excise law is an infernal one.”…

    • 811 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Thomas Jefferson's Changes To Government
    • 70 Words
    • 1 Page

    Thomas Jefferson's Changes To Government

    Based on what on what I read hamilton scaled down military expenses by instead of having 25 ships the military only has 7 ships now and by cutting all the expenses he lowered the national debt within a few years. I do believe that Jefferson made these changes to the government because the government is in a ton of debt.…

    • 70 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Dbq Compare And Contrast Jeffersonian Republicans And Federalists
    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages

    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.…

    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Thomas Jefferson vs. Alexander Hamilton
    • 580 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Thomas Jefferson vs. Alexander Hamilton

    The national government was just beginning to work well, and after the ratification of the Constitution, the state and local governments still very strong. Hamilton, a lax Constitutionalist, wanted an organized strong central government, fearing anarchy without a central power. He felt one strong government would be able to deal with national problems much more efficiently than many state and local governments, in which strong divisions might arise. Jefferson wanted things to stay the way they were with the state and local governments in charge, fearing another monarchy. This caused him to become a strict Constitutionalist. By doing carefully analyzing the Constitution, Jefferson would be able to see any loopholes in it, allowing the state laws to override the federal laws.…

    • 580 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing Thomas Jefferson And The Declaration Of Independence
    • 119 Words
    • 1 Page

    Comparing Thomas Jefferson And The Declaration Of Independence

    Thomas Jefferson’s writings and The Declaration of Independence are similar to the Federalist papers written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The Federalist papers reflect the same American themes that Thomas Jefferson wrote about like all men have inalienable rights. McMichael states, “The arguments reflect, as does the Constitution itself, the ideas of John Locke and the concepts of ‘social contract’ and of the natural rights of man” (McMichael 355). The arguments in the Federalist papers have themes like the natural rights of man from John Locke. The natural rights of man are life, liberty, and property, and these are like Thomas Jefferson’s inalienable rights (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) in The Declaration…

    • 119 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Congress 1776 Thomas Jefferson Analysis
    • 414 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Congress 1776 Thomas Jefferson Analysis

    In Congress, July 4, 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote to King George III for the American colonists to proclaim freedom. Jefferson wanted independence because he believed that it would be a better option for America to have a society that is treated equally and fairly. Through the use of persuasive elements, he successfully presented his evidence and reasoning as to why he believed America should part their ways from Great Britain and King George III to create the society America deserved.…

    • 414 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Thomas Jefferson's Influence On Government
    • 185 Words
    • 1 Page

    Thomas Jefferson's Influence On Government

    Thomas Jefferson’s administration continued some of the practices established by Washington and Adams, however, he started some new ways of thinking as well. Jefferson created ideas and established policies that impacted the the United States. During Jefferson’s presidency the political changes had the greatest impact on the United States. The political changes included the Judiciary Act of 1801.…

    • 185 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Jefferson Vs Hamilton Dbq
    • 664 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Jefferson Vs Hamilton Dbq

    Both leaders/groups contributed in the ratification of the Constitution, but interpreted the foundations and articles differently. For example, Jefferson believed that the proposed central government was unconstitutional because it was not written in the Constitution. In Doc. A, Jefferson stated "that all powers not delegated to the U.S. by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it by the states, remain with the people." Hamilton and the Federalists believed in loose interpretation of the Constitution, so that the central…

    • 664 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Constitutional Convention: Sherman, Sherman And Ellsworth
    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Constitutional Convention: Sherman, Sherman And Ellsworth

    James Madison, who originally believed that a Bill of Rights would greatly weaken the federal government, eventually warmed to the idea of a Bill of Rights on the persistence of his adversaries. Madison knew it would be detrimental to add amendments to the Constitution during ratification because it would open the door to a possible second convention. A convention which would not be held in secret as was the first, and therefore even more open to public scrutiny. Madison reasoned to promise that once elected to the House of Representatives he would advocate for the introduction to a Bill of Rights. Madison held up his promise in the…

    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Was The Difference Between Jefferson And Burr
    • 731 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What Was The Difference Between Jefferson And Burr

    He states, “I shall find resources of wisdom, of virtue, and of zeal on which to rely under all difficulties” (Jefferson). Despite the chaos thrown at Jefferson at this time in history, he truly wanted to unite the people. He was agitated by the way people could not come together as one just because of their political parties. All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression” (Jefferson). Whatever political party a person sided with, Jefferson believed they all had one commonality.…

    • 731 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Thomas Jefferson's Purpose Of Government
    • 235 Words
    • 1 Page

    Thomas Jefferson's Purpose Of Government

    The purpose of the government is to protect the citizens from bad things. Another purpose of it is that the government gives laws and set the limits of power by separating them. Another purpose would be is that the government would also be in control of what goes on. The last purpose it gives or shows is that protects everybody form the bad things. That's the purpose of the government.…

    • 235 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    John Adams Response To The Declaration Of Independence
    • 1388 Words
    • 6 Pages

    John Adams Response To The Declaration Of Independence

    In November 1787 Jefferson wrote of the Constitution: "There are very good articles in it; & very bad. I do not know which preponderate. What we have lately read in the history of Holland, in the chapter on the Stadtholder, would have sufficed to set me against a chief magistrate eligible for a longer duration, if I had ever been disposed towards one: & what we have always read of the elections of Polish kings should have forever excluded the idea of one continuable for life. Wonderful is the effect of impudent & perservering lying." The same day, Jefferson wrote John Adams to "confess there are things in it which stagger all my dispositions to subscribe to what such an assembly has proposed.…

    • 1388 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    DBQ 4: Thomas Jefferson And Alexander Hamilton
    • 736 Words
    • 3 Pages

    DBQ 4: Thomas Jefferson And Alexander Hamilton

    beliefs as the Federalists. Jefferson went against his his convictions that got him elected by…

    • 736 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics