Early Political Parties

In the developing years of the United States government, political parties were formed due to the opposing views on how to interpret the Constitution. It is well known that the Jeffersonian Republicans wanted the Constitution to be interpreted strict contrasting the views of the Federalists who felt the Constitution should be interpreted loosely. There were times, however, the views political leaders took on the matter were compromised for the betterment of the country.

Jefferson's Republicanism was obvious through his dismantlement of the U.S. Navy. The constitution did not grant a huge amount of power to the military, so he was sure to enforce the law by reducing naval funds. Also, James Madison proves his Republicanism when he vetoes the "Bonus Bill", the potential bill that would allow the government to make roads and canals to improve the American transportation system, because it is "such a power is not expressly given by the constitution..."

On the contrary, there were places where the Republicans went against their beliefs that they felt were "necessary and proper". For instance, Jefferson bought the Louisiana Purchase, but the Constitution did not grant the power for the Federal Government to buy land. In order to make this purchase he had to use the elastic clause, which allowed the government to make a law they feel is "necessary and proper", which is considered a loose interpretation of the Constitution. Also, Madison issued a military draft, which is a mandatory recruiting of military personnel, which, again, is not a power granted in the constitution, and this argument is made obvious in Daniel Webster's speech concerning a conscription bill(Document D). Federalists were also guilty of going against their beliefs by showing signs of a strict interpretation when they were at the Hartford Convention and made the proposition that Congress could have a two-thirds vote to declare war and admit states into the Union. Congress having to vote instead of just passing the law is an example of the strict views that was generally a characteristic held by a Republican.

The early political parties of the United States were characterized by what view they had of the constitution. The generalization of Jeffersonian Republicans was that they interpreted the constitution strictly, whereas the Federalists had more of loose interpretation. There were times where member of each parties