...States gained its independence from Britain, and was just beginning to become a republic nation, partisan conflicts arose, creating different schools of thought regarding the Constitution. One party was the Jeffersonian Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, they followed the principle of strict constructionism of the Constitution. Jefferson’s policy making usually cohered with this strict constructionism, but on several occasions Jefferson utilized a loose interpretation of the Constitution, while Madison did a much better job of adhering to the principle of strict constructionism. As the founder of the Jeffersonian Republicans, Thomas Jefferson’s main ideology was a strict interpretation of the Constitution,...
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...U.S. History Mr. Parnell Jefferson’s Dilemma In the spring of 1803 the United States was offered the opportunity to double its land size by purchasing the Louisiana Territory from the French. During this time Thomas Jefferson was in office serving as our 3rd president. Along with the decision of purchasing the land, Jefferson faced many other difficulties that could have both positive and negative effects on the United States. After hearing word that the Territory had shifted out of Spain’s hands in 1802, Jefferson knew he had to act while Napoleon Buonaparte was still in control of the land. Jefferson did not want to form an alliance with Britain but at the same time he did not want to go to war with France, he had to be vigilant in...
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...Historical Book Review: American Sphinx Thomas Jefferson stands as one of the greatest giants of American history symbolizing the vision that founded this nation whose soul and achievements have been searched and researched numerous times. In the biography American Sphinx authored by Joseph J Ellis, Jefferson’s life is evaluated at key points in his life rather than following the traditional biography format. Unlike the usual historical texts, Ellis focus delves deeper into capturing Jefferson’s character in 5 different episodes in his career covering twenty-seven years of his life. However, despite having strict chronological chapters, Ellis struggles stay within the bounds leaving many to believe the reading is cumbersome. Ellis declares that it is his “goal to catch Jefferson at propitious moments in his life, to zoom in on his thoughts and actions during those extended moments, [and] to focus on the values and convictions that reveal themselves in these specific historical contexts”. (Ellis, xi)...
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...The Louisiana Purchase posed several significant moral dilemmas for President Thomas Jefferson; among these were his republican ideals, the unconstitutionality of the acquisition of foreign land, and the nation’s growth and economic prosperity. Thomas Jefferson challenged his own political ideology with the purchase of the Louisiana territory. This was an internal moral dilemma that Jefferson would have to sacrifice for the advancement of the young country. Thomas Jefferson was a republicans republican; he was a true antifederalist to the bone who was a strict interpreter of the United States Constitution. What really ripped him in two was that he was about to regurgitate the same argument Alexander Hamilton used to justify the establishment...
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...Thomas Jefferson had strong political convictions, as seen through his formation of the Jeffersonian political party. However, throughout his presidency he often exercised principles of the opposing Federalist party. Jefferson effectively became a moderate during his presidency, both adhering to and straying from his earlier philosophies. National government was a dangerous necessity meant benefit and protect the citizens, however it must be closely watched. Jeffersonian ideology stated that a weak central government and strong state and local government were necessary to uphold the Union. While downsizing the standing navy should have hindered the nation, the existing fleet was able to suppress the threat in the First Barbary War. (Doc D)...
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...Thomas Jefferson wanted to keep government simple and frugal. He wanted government to thwart men from injuring one another but otherwise let them run affairs themselves. In Jefferson’s “to John Adams,” he wrote “But since the invention of gunpowder has armed the weak as well as the strong with missile death, bodily strength, like beauty, good humor, politeness, and other accomplishments has become an auxiliary ground for distinction” (314). Jefferson wanted rule by the people and strong state governments; he did not want too much power concentrated in one area. He did not believe that the “aristoi” should rule, that being ruled by the “best” would be like a monarchy. The superlative way to protect the liberties of the people in Jefferson’s eyes was to limit government by a strict interpretation of the Constitution. In “to James Madison,” he said “I own I am not a friend to a very energetic government” (313). Jefferson wanted an agrarian based economy instead of taking raw...
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...Thomas Jefferson was a father, gardener, designer, thinker, writer of the Declaration of Independence, and the third president of the United States of America. The Jeffersonian presidency was a dark, but essential, era for America. Regardless of his best intentions, Jefferson’s presidency caused much harm to the United States. The main reason for this was because Jefferson constantly contradicted his beliefs when he purchased the Louisiana Territory, during the War with Tripoli. Despite his constant hatred for the Hamiltonian ideals, he did nothing to repeal them. Thomas Jefferson’s time in office was completely hypocritical, as he repeatedly went against his own beliefs. To begin with, Jefferson went against his Democratic-Republican ideals...
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...This essay is going to compare and contrast both Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, They both had some major differences, but other things they had the same thought process. Many things were different about their beliefs with the role and nature of the newly created United States government. Hamilton mainly like the more power of the government the better it is for society. Jefferson wanted more of a smaller government and having people with individual rights. Hamilton and Jefferson were two ways different thinkers in what they want for society and believe in. Hamilton was in favor of a strong central government and a national constitution. He wasn't really a strong supporter of democracy or even the Bill of Rights. Favored implied powers, a loose construction of the constitution. He was one of many writers of the Federalists papers. Also favored the wealthy, urban commercial interests of the nation. Hamilton created national debt and actually paid for it all through a brilliant plan of taxing whiskey. He was an official member of the Federalist party and the first secretary of treasury. He was unfortunately killed in a duel vise president Aaron Burr. He was one who was fond of and greatly admired England or Britain, which is known as...
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...Open Interpretation to the Constitution Leads to First National Bank A National Bank is an essential part of this nation's economy. We know that it can further strengthen the ties between Americans and the federal government. The National Bank has allowed America to grow its economy, unit as country, and improve trade between the colonies. But when the first National Bank plan entered into Congress there was much controversy over it. Two men, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, held two very different and opposing views on the Bank plan. This led to much controversy over the plan and how they believed it would impact the nation. At the root of the controversy was wether or not the plan was constitutional. Both men interpreted the clauses in the Constitution differently, so both Hamilton and Jefferson submitted plans to President Washington in hopes their view would prevail. The conflict between Hamilton and Jefferson’s opposing views came to a head in 1791. Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury at the time, submitted a report to Congress on a plan for a National Bank. There was great controversy over the creation of a National Bank for many reasons. The main reason being that Hamilton stated that its creation was completely justified by the Constitutions elastic clause. The elastic clause grants Congress the power “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” (Elastic Clause Law & Legal Definition) and to carry out its duties. In his plan Hamilton wrote...
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...The Louisiana Purchase had many advantages and disadvantages including moral dilemmas for President Thomas Jefferson that made him go against his own beliefs. The Louisiana Purchase almost doubled the size of the United States and it wasn’t that expensive, but nowhere in the constitution does it say a president can acquire land using funds because a president doesn’t have that kind of power and, President Jefferson was very fond of the Constitution, yet he went against it so he could buy it. The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal in 1803 between the United States and France, where France gave around 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River to the United States for $15 million (monticello.org). 15 states were eventually made...
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...Thomas Jefferson once said “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” Since Jefferson knew that actions define you he made sure to make the right choices, which made him a great leader. Jefferson made the United States better because he had good views of the structure government, his views on foreign policy's were good and because he had good views on who should run the government. Those make me believe that Thomas Jefferson made the best decisions regarding the United States government, as apposed to Alexander Hamilton. Thomas Jefferson thought that the government should be a democracy. He also believed that there should be a small government with limited powers was best to keep everyone happy. That was very important to Jefferson, keeping the people happy and he tried to make good decisions that would benefit the people. Jefferson also favored a strict interpretation of the Constitution, that the constitution meant exactly what it said, no more and no less. So if something was not in the constitution then it could not be done. He also believed that there should be laws that help to protect the people and their liberties. Jefferson's believed that the Americans were obligated to help out France. Since the French had helped us out in a time a need. In 1803 a war between Britain and France had started....
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...Louisiana Purchase 1803 Bridget Cochran 01/28/2012American InterContinental University |...
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...opposed slavery, though he understood the need for slaves for work. As will be stated why, Alexander Hamilton was important to American history for many reasons including, but not limited to, the fiscal policies and a long held feud with Thomas Jefferson. Role in early republic - National Bank, becoming George Washington's Secretary of the Treasury, and helping to create the United States Mint. At the Constitutional Convention, Alexander Hamilton appeared. He joined in to change his lack of power in the government that the weak Articles of Confederation...
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...Hamilton thought he was the “prime minister” in George Washington’s cabinet and sometimes dealt with affairs of other places in the government including Thomas Jefferson’s job who was secretary of state. Hamilton planned to correct the economic problems that ruined the Articles of Confederation but he wanted to favor the wealthy people. His plan was that the rich people would help the government financially with political and government support. Hamilton believed manufacturing would bring more money into the country but Jefferson disagreed. Hamilton and Jefferson differed on the way they saw the Constitution. Hamilton had a loose interpretation of the Constitution. He thought everything that wasn’t stated in the Constitution should be allowed....
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...Michael Morales 11-3-14 Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was the 3rd President of the United States from 1801 – 1809. He was born in 1743 at Shadwell, Virginia. He is the author of the Declaration of Independence, and a founding father to the United States. Thomas Jefferson practiced law and served in local government. In 1776 he was picked to draft the Declaration of independence. He went through many drafts, he made sure to include that all men are equal with equal rights despite the status or wealth of the person. He also included in the Declaration of Independence that people have the right to “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”. The original quote in the draft had “and Property” but the issue of slavery was being brought up at the time...
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