What Is The Validity Of The Louisiana Purchase
Scott Colon
Professor Wilkerson
American Federal Government
18 January 2013
Examining the Constitutionality of the Louisiana Purchase The acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase caused a political debate of the constitution in the early United States government. There was a difference of opinions between politicians including Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine. Many believed that the provisions outlined in the United States Constitution should be strictly followed, but others believe that the Constitution was open to interpretation. These differences of opinion over the interpretation came into play when Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase with France.
Jefferson was a staunch Federalist who believed in applying the words of the Constitution …show more content…
This land could be used for western expansion as the population of the young country continued to increase. Thomas Paine was one of the main politicians who voiced concern over the religious differences between the populations of the current United States and those that would inhabit the new territory. It was a problem of national unity. He was concerned over how the United States would add those who already resided in the territory. These inhabitants had gone through a transfer of power and control from Spain, France, and now the United States. The religions worshiped by these inhabitants were based on the prior countries that held control. Paine was very concerned by this because the territory had a large population of Catholics, whereas the majority of the United States was Protestant. These inhabitants had also been in control based on rulers based on divine right. Paine was concerned with how the newest citizens of the United Stated would accept the Constitution, based on a separation between church and state. Despite these concerns, Paine did acknowledge that assimilation would be successful, but it would take
Professor Wilkerson
American Federal Government
18 January 2013
Examining the Constitutionality of the Louisiana Purchase The acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase caused a political debate of the constitution in the early United States government. There was a difference of opinions between politicians including Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine. Many believed that the provisions outlined in the United States Constitution should be strictly followed, but others believe that the Constitution was open to interpretation. These differences of opinion over the interpretation came into play when Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase with France.
Jefferson was a staunch Federalist who believed in applying the words of the Constitution …show more content…
This land could be used for western expansion as the population of the young country continued to increase. Thomas Paine was one of the main politicians who voiced concern over the religious differences between the populations of the current United States and those that would inhabit the new territory. It was a problem of national unity. He was concerned over how the United States would add those who already resided in the territory. These inhabitants had gone through a transfer of power and control from Spain, France, and now the United States. The religions worshiped by these inhabitants were based on the prior countries that held control. Paine was very concerned by this because the territory had a large population of Catholics, whereas the majority of the United States was Protestant. These inhabitants had also been in control based on rulers based on divine right. Paine was concerned with how the newest citizens of the United Stated would accept the Constitution, based on a separation between church and state. Despite these concerns, Paine did acknowledge that assimilation would be successful, but it would take