George Washington’s last wish as president of the United States was for the political system to not be tainted by political parties; however, the Federalists and democratic republicans quickly destroyed any hope of this. Both sides had contrasting political views and steadfastly held their position. The leader of the democratic Republican Party, Thomas Jefferson, was a major advocate of states’ rights and fought venomously against Federalist policies such as the national bank. Yet, when he became president of the United States, his views started to change. Before his presidency, Jefferson was an ardent supporter of states’ rights and restricted government; however, once he became president, he began to use the government’s power for his benefit.
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First he had to deal with France and the Louisiana Purchase. After the Haitian Revolution and the loss of its sugar colonies, France led by Napoleon Bonaparte decided that it no longer wanted a North American empire. This led to the Louisiana Purchase where the United States bought the Louisiana territory. Jefferson created this deal, but there was no explicit power in the constitution for the president to purchase foreign lands. Document C details a letter from Jefferson to John Breckinridge where he admits to reaching beyond the constitution in order to make the deal happen. By framing the land purchase as a treaty, he avoided any constitutional issues and integrated the land; however, this was against his earlier beliefs about a strict interpretation of the constitution. He abandoned his earlier beliefs about strict constitutional interpretation but he did so to advance the country. Later on in his presidency, Jefferson again contradicts himself through the Barbary wars. The map of the Barbary States and battle locations in document D shows how Jefferson orchestrated the invasion of a foreign country in order to protect trade. Before he became president, he argued that the states should largely governor themselves, but without the strong central power Jefferson used, the crisis in the Mediterranean would never have been resolved. Jefferson’s change in policy
First he had to deal with France and the Louisiana Purchase. After the Haitian Revolution and the loss of its sugar colonies, France led by Napoleon Bonaparte decided that it no longer wanted a North American empire. This led to the Louisiana Purchase where the United States bought the Louisiana territory. Jefferson created this deal, but there was no explicit power in the constitution for the president to purchase foreign lands. Document C details a letter from Jefferson to John Breckinridge where he admits to reaching beyond the constitution in order to make the deal happen. By framing the land purchase as a treaty, he avoided any constitutional issues and integrated the land; however, this was against his earlier beliefs about a strict interpretation of the constitution. He abandoned his earlier beliefs about strict constitutional interpretation but he did so to advance the country. Later on in his presidency, Jefferson again contradicts himself through the Barbary wars. The map of the Barbary States and battle locations in document D shows how Jefferson orchestrated the invasion of a foreign country in order to protect trade. Before he became president, he argued that the states should largely governor themselves, but without the strong central power Jefferson used, the crisis in the Mediterranean would never have been resolved. Jefferson’s change in policy