Alexander Jefferson's Opinion Of The Constitution Analysis

While the pivotal federalist parties came to a demise, many believed the conflicting opinions of government would begin to settle down; unfortunately this was inevitable. Shortly after the rise of the Democratic-Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson, and the Hamiltonians with their main speaker, Alexander Hamilton; their differing opinions of the two political parties, were lead by their interpretations of the United States Constitution. Thomas Jefferson believed in a strict interpretation, the government shall hold only those power granted to them by the constitution. Alexander Hamilton however, believing in a loose interpretation, signifying the government holds all the powers that are not specifically denied to them in the constitution. The

With that in mind, Louisiana and New Orleans were owned by France, so President Thomas Jefferson sent Robert Livingston and James Monroe to negotiate and purchase as much of $10 million of land including Louisiana and New Orleans, and the surrounding area. With the initial offer refused, they continued to renegotiate the price, upon knowledge of Napoleon trenching his plan to take over North America. Livingston and Monroe return home, accepting the offer of the entire Louisiana territory for $15 million, overstepping their bounds, however taking a great opportunity. The pressing concern was whether or not this was constitutional or not. Jefferson choice was in question due to his belief to strictly interpret the constitution, many believed he was being hypocritical. Nowhere in the constitution did it supply any laws on accepting foreign territories for their gain. The government did not have the power to do this, however it was not forbidden. Jefferson had then sanctioned the louisiana purchase using a loose interpretation of the constitution. However, with this one transaction between the U.S and france. The size of the country nearly doubled. It gave control over the port of new orleans, provided a vast amount of territory for westward expansion, enabled a rapid growth of population, and the U.S. acquired an

Within his plan, he called for a creation of a national bank, modeled after the bank of england. The bank would be in charge of collecting taxes, keeping the government funds secure, make government and business loans, and issue bank notes. The debate again within this situation, is whether or not the establishment of a national bank is constitutional. Hamilton favored a loose interpretation of the constitution, and believed a national bank was necessary to stabilize and improve the federal government. He responded to these accusations, with the initial response that congress had the power to form a bank, because the constitution, gives the authority to them to do anything “necessary and proper” (Elastic Clause). With this, Hamilton was able to win the debate, and then congress forming a bill that created a national bank for 20 years. The establishment of a Federal Bank, was to improve the federal government with everything Hamilton had said, as well as improving the doctrine of implied powers. The National Bank also creates a stronger bond between the state and federal governments, and further strengthening the government by creating a strong national credit. Alexander Hamilton was able to use his loose interpretation of the Elastic Clause in the Constitution, thus enhancing the power of the federal