Despite the lack of political segregation at the birth of the constitution, by conclusion of federalist John Adams’ presidency, two distinct parties emerged: the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists. These political parties held opposing views on numerous topics including states’ rights, the power of the federal government, and most importantly, the interpretation of the Constitution. While both political parties signed to the laws written in the Constitution, the Jeffersonian Republicans are usually characterized as strict constructionists who were opposed to the broad constructionism of the Federalists. When the national government changed from the hold of the Federalists to the hold of the Jeffersonian Republicans during the Revolution
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However, in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, Jefferson and Madison wrote the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which spoke out against the Federalist Government. In these resolutions the duo claimed that the federal government had too much power, and that it (the power) must be returned to the states. In a similar letter to a future member of Jefferson’s cabinet, Jefferson wrote that according to the principles on which the Constitution was received, the states’ rights should be preserved (Doc A). The purpose of this letter was to persuade the audience, who was the future cabinet member, to support strict constructionist of the constitution, and to advocate for states’ …show more content…
When tension between Britain and Revolutionary France sparked the bloody Napoleonic Wars, Jefferson decided to comply by George Washington’s precedent of neutrality to avoid war. However, to completely remain neutral, Jefferson had to isolate the country by passing the Embargo Act under which he closed all of the American ports. The political cartoon, OGRABME, was created to expose how the Embargo Act demolished both the American economy and the entire merchant class(Doc C). Jefferson used implied powers to pass the Embargo Act, because he assumed total federal power and undermined the rights of the states. Likewise, Madison also endorsed loose interpretation of the Constitution throughout his presidency. The majority of Madison’s first term as President was served during the “Second Revolutionary War,” the War of 1812. Because the War caused many casualties, Madison filed a conscription bill to “re-stock” the American Army. However, this bill ignited anger from throughout the government. In a speech written by Daniel Webster addressed to the House of Representatives, Webster spoke out against President Madison and his mal-use of implied powers for passing an “unconstitutional” bill (Doc D). During his presidency, Madison also used broad constructionism of the Constitution in passing the Tariff of 1816 through Congress. This new
However, in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, Jefferson and Madison wrote the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which spoke out against the Federalist Government. In these resolutions the duo claimed that the federal government had too much power, and that it (the power) must be returned to the states. In a similar letter to a future member of Jefferson’s cabinet, Jefferson wrote that according to the principles on which the Constitution was received, the states’ rights should be preserved (Doc A). The purpose of this letter was to persuade the audience, who was the future cabinet member, to support strict constructionist of the constitution, and to advocate for states’ …show more content…
When tension between Britain and Revolutionary France sparked the bloody Napoleonic Wars, Jefferson decided to comply by George Washington’s precedent of neutrality to avoid war. However, to completely remain neutral, Jefferson had to isolate the country by passing the Embargo Act under which he closed all of the American ports. The political cartoon, OGRABME, was created to expose how the Embargo Act demolished both the American economy and the entire merchant class(Doc C). Jefferson used implied powers to pass the Embargo Act, because he assumed total federal power and undermined the rights of the states. Likewise, Madison also endorsed loose interpretation of the Constitution throughout his presidency. The majority of Madison’s first term as President was served during the “Second Revolutionary War,” the War of 1812. Because the War caused many casualties, Madison filed a conscription bill to “re-stock” the American Army. However, this bill ignited anger from throughout the government. In a speech written by Daniel Webster addressed to the House of Representatives, Webster spoke out against President Madison and his mal-use of implied powers for passing an “unconstitutional” bill (Doc D). During his presidency, Madison also used broad constructionism of the Constitution in passing the Tariff of 1816 through Congress. This new