The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 nearly doubled the size of the United States and provided them with access to crucial geographic features. The young United States was going through difficult times trying to interpret and tweak their new constitution so they could expand the country. During this time, President Thomas Jefferson, described by Henry as “always stating his strong belief that the federal government’s powers should be interpreted strictly” (Browan 35). Jefferson believed there would have to be an amendment made in order to complete the purchase considering it never gave rules on how to obtain foreign territory. He was correct, based on the constitution there should have been an amendment made in order to expand the country. In December
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It explains how new states could be added to America, but never mentioned how to acquire foreign territories to add to the United States (U.S. Const. Art. IV). When Jefferson and his cabinet realized this issue they were faced with two options; take the deal and disregard the possibility of going against their beliefs and the constitution, or writing an amendment to make it possible to add foreign territory to the United States (Browan ¶2). Jefferson, being a strict follower of the constitution, argued that a constitutional amendment was necessary. His cabinet was the reason one wasn’t passed, they convinced him it wasn’t necessary and that it would take too long to get it passed (Browan ¶2). The treaty between the France and America about the Louisiana Purchase had to be ratified within six months of signing, so Jefferson’s cabinet got him to convene congress which left plenty of time for both houses to act before the closing the deal (Carson 478). If the cabinet would have sent this draft through, it would have taken too long and they wouldn’t have been able to complete the deal. They were afraid France would withdraw their offer or offer it to another country because of how desperate they were for …show more content…
The majestic Mississippi river, the vast great plains, crucial agricultural land, important ports, and a place to call home for many Americans may have never been if it wasn’t for the bending of the rules of our constitution by the president
It explains how new states could be added to America, but never mentioned how to acquire foreign territories to add to the United States (U.S. Const. Art. IV). When Jefferson and his cabinet realized this issue they were faced with two options; take the deal and disregard the possibility of going against their beliefs and the constitution, or writing an amendment to make it possible to add foreign territory to the United States (Browan ¶2). Jefferson, being a strict follower of the constitution, argued that a constitutional amendment was necessary. His cabinet was the reason one wasn’t passed, they convinced him it wasn’t necessary and that it would take too long to get it passed (Browan ¶2). The treaty between the France and America about the Louisiana Purchase had to be ratified within six months of signing, so Jefferson’s cabinet got him to convene congress which left plenty of time for both houses to act before the closing the deal (Carson 478). If the cabinet would have sent this draft through, it would have taken too long and they wouldn’t have been able to complete the deal. They were afraid France would withdraw their offer or offer it to another country because of how desperate they were for …show more content…
The majestic Mississippi river, the vast great plains, crucial agricultural land, important ports, and a place to call home for many Americans may have never been if it wasn’t for the bending of the rules of our constitution by the president