What Are Thomas Jefferson's Boundaries As A President

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As a Republican president, Thomas Jefferson believed in having an agrarian paradise protected by a small government with no standing military and no debt. It also meant he believed in having very little interference with the people’s lives and to completely obey the constitution. Jefferson's administration as president confirmed conflicting interpretations of executive power. He had a high hostility to the idea of a strong central government. Jefferson has done many momentous achievements during his presidency that have had a long lasting impact in American history. However, some of those achievements defied his beliefs. Jefferson did overstep his boundaries as a Republican president with a few of his actions. Some of those actions required him to search for alternative ways to solve problems and go against his beliefs. Being a president during those times, it was looked down upon to live a life of luxury …show more content…

Jefferson opposed grandeur and elitism and promised his administration would be frugal. However he had made plans to expand the white house and had a wine bill exceeding $10,000 after his presidency. Despite that, Jefferson made sure he was living a simple life and dressed humbly upon meeting people. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 was one of Jefferson’s major accomplishments because for one he completely overstepped his boundaries as a Republican president. When Jefferson came to Napoleon about the Louisiana territory and buying it to have control of the Mississippi river, Napoleon offered $15 million and Jefferson bought it without consulting congress about it. This was a huge issue because, being a Republican, Jefferson was a strict constructionist, meaning that if it wasn’t in the constitution it was not okay for anyone to do it. Also, the constitution didn’t

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