Constitutional and Social Revolution

Construction of the Constitution

Both President Thomas Jefferson and James Madison believed in strict construction of the United States Constitution but reacted differently. Both Jefferson and Madison made changes to their own policies when they believed the outcome of a problem was in favor of the United States. On the other hand, the Federalists followed the concept of a loose construction of the Constitution contrarily Jeffersonian Republicans supported strict construction. While President Thomas Jefferson did not stay true to his principles when it came to the idea of strict construction of the United States Constitution, President Madison did. He chose to stay true to his belief of a strict construction. During their presidencies, the Federalists wanted a loose construction of the United States Constitution.

Jefferson believed that "the government is best which governs least, because the people discipline themselves." He believed that a small government would only work because it would be based on self-control and self regulation. While in office he writes a letter to Gideon Granger (Doc A) showing his support to the Constitution while exposing the Federalists' opposition to their loose construction of the government which would eventually lead to a change in the national government. The governmental change shows great comparison to that of a monarchy and it doesn't comply to basic states rights that the United States Constitution guarantees. Later in his presidency, Jefferson bought the Louisiana Purchase which shows a loose construction because he acted before he got Congress's approval. The Louisiana Purchase was the United States purchases of land everything west of the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian Border. It costs the United States roughly $15 million. Besides the Louisiana Purchase showing a loose construction so did the Embargo Act. Another example is the embargo act, demonstrated by Alexander Anderson's cartoon, shows two men running with a barrel trying to avoid a snapping turtle (Doc C). This best represents how the majority of the people felt about the Embargo Act. The official meaning of the embargo act was the restriction of American ships from participating in foreign trade until 1812. The average person felt as though they were trapped by the embargo act, or sometimes referred to as the "Ograbme" act. By creating the Embargo Act Jefferson wanted the government to be flexible and that changes can be made to benefit the government. To replace the Embargo Act was the non-Intercourse Acts, they lifted all embargoes on American shipping except we still cannot export to Britain and French. The whole reason for the non-Intercourse Act was created was to damage the economies of the United Kingdom and France. Although Jefferson believed in strict construction he based his principles

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