Apush Dbq Research Paper

The creation of political parties originally caused some conflict. Many people thought that they were evil. As time went on, the people warmed up to the idea, and characterizations of the Republican and Federalist parties began. The Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, strictly interpreted the Constitution, but eventually, they loosened their views on the interpretation of the Constitution. On the other hand, Federalists held views on a loose interpretation of the Constitution, until they realized that a more strict interpretation could be a good thing.
When Jefferson was president, he felt threatened by Federalist ideas on the government. So, he began to restructure those policies until they coincided with the Republican viewpoint and the

Constitution. In his inaugural address, he explained his commitment to protect civil freedoms and the rights of minorities. This goes along with following a strict interpretation of the Constitution, because the Constitution has the good of all people in mind. He showed that he was protecting the rights of minorities when the Alien and Sedition Acts were repealed making it easier for foreigners to become American citizens. As stated in Document A, Jefferson believed that the states should be independent in dealing with issues inside themselves, but that everything relating to foreign affair should be left to be handled by the federal government. In Document B, the focus is placed upon religion. It focuses on the fact that the federal government is not given authority over religion directly by the Constitution; therefore, this authority is given to the states. The document goes on to say that people must act within his or her reason, and Jefferson feels through his reason that he hasn’t been given religious powers but civil powers. The Embargo Act, nicknamed the Ograbme, was a strict policy that forbid trade with Britain and France. Americans felt that the Embargo Act was an unpleasant nuisance, but it technically did not go against the Constitution.
James Madison’s presidency followed Thomas Jefferson’s presidency.

Even though both were Republicans, their beliefs in the running of the country differed. Madison did not follow the Constitution quite as strict as Jefferson did. Essentially Madison forced men to enlist in the military and fight for the American cause as it states in Document D. Many questioned if it was constitution asking if it said anywhere in the Constitution that a president is allowed to take men from their families and make them fight in war. The answer to their question is no. Jefferson more than likely disagreed with Madison in this case. John Randolph, one of few Republicans whose view does not change, also questions Madison’s constitutional interpretation in Document F. He believes that Madison’s administration is following in the footsteps of John Adams instead of Jefferson. He feels that Madison is abusing his powers of managing trade for the United States with implicating tariffs. In Document H, the regulation of trade is also discussed. Madison becomes slightly stricter in his interpretation of the Constitution when he vetoes a bill for the construction of roads and canals. He says that this power is not directly given nor can it be inferred from the Constitution; therefore, he refuses to pass the bill. Madison also attempted to remain peaceful with Britain and France like Jefferson. So, he created his own, less intense version of the Embargo Act called the Non-Intercourse Act. It allowed

trade with all countries except France and Britain. Madison did this to protect the merchants and their ships from impressment. He had the common good in mind and stuck with the Constitution.
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison both changed and believe that change is necessary. In Document G, Jefferson says that establishments must revolve to relate to the people and the times. People change making it necessary for established laws to change. The men of the Hartford Convention hoped for change. These men attempted to amend the Constitution to make it more like the Articles of Confederation. This included revising laws about new states, embargos, and commercial trade. Most of their revisions did not occur. Jefferson’s change came in 1803 when he purchased Louisiana from the French. He had ignored the Constitution, because it says nothing about the federal government having the right to purchase new land. As controversial as it was, it greatly benefited the United States by allowing the country to expand. Madison was constantly changing. At times, he closely followed the Constitution, while at others, he disregarded it.
Republicans have a generally strict interpretation of the Constitution. However, under the leadership of Jefferson and Madison, that was mostly true but at times it was not. A majority of the pair’s policies strictly followed the Constitution, but the Louisiana Purchase did not. When situations like this occurred someone typically spoke up and created controversy. The characterization of the Republicans being strict constructionists was not all that accurate. Approximately half of the Republican policies at the time followed this characterization, while the other half did not.