Federal Constitution

The simple turn of a century from the late 1700's to the 1800's brought about drastic change in regard to the United States government. Not only had the rebellious colonies overthrown the oppressive rule of their mother country Britain, but they had already begun to establish their own political domain. Within this realm of the newly founded democracy were two conflicting parties. On one side was the Jeffersonian Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson himself and later on by James Madison. Those who composed this legislative faction tended to believe in strong state governments, a feeble central government, and a rigid interpretation of the constitution. Opposing the Jeffersonian Republicans were the Federalists of America. The federalists craved for a mighty central government with less powerful state governments, and a loose interpretation of the Constitution. The two parties had divergent standpoints ranging from religion to admission of states into the American union. With respect to the federal Constitution, the Federalists acquired a consistently flexible interpretation of it. On the other hand, the Jeffersonian Republicans flip-flopped. At the onset of the 19'th century, Thomas Jefferson and his followers rigidly abided by it. Eventually the party possessed a rather wishy-washy construction.

Born into a wealthy Virginian family in 1743, Thomas Jefferson grew up to become president of the United States in 1800. He brought an unprecedented sense of commitment to office, believing in smaller central governments with stronger state governments. Jefferson and his Republican followers were devoted to living by the constitution as it pertained to states rights.

Our country is too large to have all its affairs directed by a single government...The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best that the states are independent as to everything within themselves, and united as to everything respecting foreign nations. (Document A)

Jeffersonian Republicans believed they were campaigning for the best interests of the American people. They supported a strong state government rather than a powerful central government because the states were closer to their people. The state governments knew best how to regulate its own people. Within the Constitution it says the central government of America must stay out of religious affairs and other state issues of that sort such as building roads and canals (Document H). Therefore, by acting in the people's interests, the Jeffersonian Republicans were compelled to strictly follow the Constitution. Document "B" illustrates this. "Certainly no power to prescribe any religious exercise, or to assume authority in religious discipline, has been delegated to the general {federal} government. It must then rest with the states."

As Thomas Jefferson's presidency unraveled itself, the ideals of his fellow Jeffersonian Republican's began to evolve with the times. For example, when the Louisiana territory became available on the market for Americans to purchase in 1803, Thomas Jefferson was obligated to buy it because of the nation's need to expand. In this particular act he obtained a loose interpretation of the Constitution and allowed himself to purchase the land even though he did not have congressional approval.

I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions...But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. (Document G)

Not only did Jefferson and his cohorts abandon their rigid interpretation of the American Constitution with the Louisiana Purchase, but they even went as far as to defy it a second time with The Embargo Act. When Jefferson passed The Embargo Act in 1807, he was going against Republican beliefs. The act was officially passed in December and it avowed to cut off all British and French trade. The function of this act was to transmit a message to the foreign powers across the Atlantic Ocean how large a role American trade plays on their economy. Basically, Thomas Jefferson was sick of having his country taken for granted. Unfortunately, by passing The Embargo Act, he committed several wrongdoings. One, no where in the listing of the presidential powers did it state that a law such as the Embargo Act could be passed. And two, it greatly infuriated the American people. The widespread feeling of anger created by The Embargo Act is portrayed in Document "C" where a cartoon sheds light upon the raging tempers between Britain and America.

The Federalists gave