1998 US History DBQ

The Jeffersonian Republicans can often be portrayed as strict constructionalists and the Federalists can be considered broad constructionalists, but to some extent this characterization of the two parties during the presidencies of Jefferson and Madison were untrue. The Jeffersonian Republicans can be considered broad constructionalists when the Louisiana Purchase was purchased and the War of 1812 was declared, the Federalists could be considered strict constructionalists when they became more opposing of the war.

            Primarily, the Jeffersonian Republicans have been broad constructionalists several times. For example, when the Jeffersonian Republicans agreed upon the acquisition of the Louisiana territory. This can be considered a loose interpretation of the Constitution because the Constitution does not state the national government is permitted to purchase territory for the United States of America. However, the Jeffersonian Republicans felt that it was implied that the national government was allowed to buy land. Another instance in which, the Jeffersonian Republicans showed broad constructist ideas was when they declared war on Britain. This was considered broad constructionalist ideas because the Jeffersonian Republicans would normally try to limit military spending and expansion of their military, yet they declared war. The Jeffersonian Republicans started to draft soldiers, which is loose interpretation of the Constitution because it is not said the national government can draft men, yet they argue that they can because of the necessary and proper clause. Thus, the Jeffersonian Republicans did exhibit broad constructionalists behavior.

            Subsequently, the Federalists were also at times strict constructionalists. An example of this would be when the Federalists stated their opposition to the war against Britain. They did this by opposing the idea of drafting men, and by setting up the Hartford Convention. The Federalists opposed drafting of men because they felt that it is not said in the Constitution that the Congress has the power to draft men. The Hartford Convention is also broad constructionalists ideas because it showed how the Federalists were trying to secede from the war against Britain. This meant the Federalists did not want military expenses to increase or to have to increase the size of the military because they felt it went beyond the power that the national government had. Therefore, the Federalists illustrated strict constructionalists views.

            Eventhough, the Jeffersonian Republicans show broad constructionalists views and the Federalists strict, the Jeffersonian Republicans are mostly strict constructionalists and the Federalist are mostly broad Constructionalists. This is evident when, the Jeffersonian Republicans stated that they would not meddle with religious institutions because it is said in the Constitution that it is the right of the people and he will not violate it. Hence, the Jeffersonian Republicans are following stated things in the Constitution, far more then something implied under it. The Federalists were broad constructionalists during the case Marbury vs. Madison. In this case, it was not directly said in the Constitution, yet they believed that it did not have to be and that it was implied. Hence, the statement of the Jeffersonian Republicans being strict constructionalists and the Federalists being broad constructionalists is to some degree true.

            Conclusively, to some extent the statement that Jeffersonian Republicans are characterized as strict constructionalists and the Federalists are broad constructionalists is incorrect. This is because the Jeffersonian Republicans did do loose interpretation of the Constitution when declaring war on Britain, and when they purchased Louisiana and the Federalists did show strict interpretation of the Constitution when they showed their opposition to the war. However, for the most part the Jeffersonian Republicans were strict constructionalists and the Federalists were broad constructionalists