Opposing Viewpoints: Jefferson and the Lousiana Purchase

Jefferson Goes Against His Own ism lanthanum Purchase The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the joined States of America in 1803 of 828,000 square miles of Frances claim to the ground of Louisiana. The Louisiana territory encompassed all or part of 15 current U. S. states and two Canadian provinces. At the time, the procure faced domestic opposition because it was thought to be unconstitutional. Although Thomas Jefferson agreed that the U. S.Constitution did non contain provisions for acquiring territory, he decided to go right ahead with the purchase anyway in order to remove Frances presence in the region and to protect both(prenominal) U. S. trade access to the port of New Orleans and free course on the Mississippi River. Thomas Jefferson was strongly anti- farmingalist. While he force have written the Declaration of Independence, he definitely did not condition the Constitution. Instead, that document was mainly written by James Madison. Jefferson spoke against a strong federal government and instead advocated states rights.He feared tyranny of any build and only recognized the need for a strong, central government in terms of foreign affairs. He felt that all powers given to the topic Government were enumerated. If they were not expressly mentioned in the Constitution then they were mute to the states. By completing this purchase, Jefferson had to put aside his principles because the allowance for this type of removeings was not expressly listed in the Constitution. Jeffersons philosophical consistency was in query because of his strict interpretation of the Constitution.Many hoi polloi believed Jefferson were being hypocritical by doing something they for sure would have argued against with Alexander Hamilton. There were several effects of Jeffersons decision to go against his own philosophy. It can be argued that his taking liberties with the Constitution in the nurture of need would go forth to future Presidents feeling justi fied with a revenant increase in the elasticity of the Constitution. Jefferson should rightly be remembered for the great routine of purchasing this enormous tract of prop, but one wonders if he powerfulness regret the means in which he earned this fameNecessary and Beneficial westerly Expansion Louisiana Purchase The Louisiana Purchase was one of the largest land deals in history. In 1803, the United States paid approximately $15 one million million million dollars for over 800,000 square miles of land. The purchase spurred along the beginning of Americas fascination with exploring the west. With the purchase of this new territory, the land area of America nearly doubled. This land deal was arguably the greatest achievement of Thomas Jeffersons presidency, but also represend a major philosophical problem for Jefferson.As a strong Republican, Jefferson did not believe in straying from the exact words of the Constitution. With the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson had distinctly not followed his own strict interpretation of the Constitution. Federalist critics howled that the Constitution nowhere permitted the federal government to purchase new land. Jefferson was troubled by the inconsistency, but in the end decided that the Constitutions treaty-making provisions allowed him room to act. As a president, he wisely allowed for his own views to bend in order to better the nation as a whole.Although Jeffersons view of strict-interpretation did not allow for the purchase, Jeffersons actions were justified. Waiting for a Constitutional amendment might cause the deal to hark back through. In 1801, Spain and France signed a secret treaty ceding Louisiana to France. France suddenly posed a potential threat to America. There was a fear that if America did not purchase New Orleans from France, it could lead to war. The change of ownership of this key port resulted in its closing to Americans. Therefore, Jefferson sent envoys to France to try and secure its purchase. With increased pressure, Jefferson decided to go through with the purchase. Luckily, the people of the United States basically agreed that this was an excellent move. The Louisiana Purchase demonstrates Jeffersons cogency to make pragmatic political decisions. Although contrary to some of his central principles, guaranteeing westward expansion was so important to Jeffersons overall vision that he took adventuresome action. Increased resources, westward expansion, and a growing sense of national primp all resulted from the purchase. The gains were dramatic, as the territory acquired would in time add 13 new states to the union.