Was Thomas Jefferson a Politcal Compromiser?

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Terrell Richardson AP US History November 26, 2012 Ms. Lister Period 4 The Presidency of Thomas Jefferson The election of Thomas Jefferson was seen as a revolution for Democratic-Republicans because the Federalists were losing power in government. Even though Jefferson was a Republican, he was believed to compromise with the Federalist beliefs for the good of the nation. Professor Morton Borden argues that Jefferson was a pragmatic politician who placed the nation’s best interests above his own. Professor Forrest McDonald believes that Jefferson was trying to replace Hamilton’s Federalist Principles with Republican’s. Jefferson supported ideas that were beneficial to the nation even if he had to compromise with the Federalists which caused him to be seen as a political compromiser. Morton Borden thinks Jefferson was a political compromiser because he made decisions that benefited the nation even though his Republican beliefs disapproved them. Borden states Jefferson’s presidency was marked by Federalist policies which encouraged the growth of central power. More specifically, Jefferson believed the Louisiana Purchase Treaty would greatly benefit the nation, but the constitution didn’t allow such acquisition of foreign territory. Jefferson being a strict constructionist approved the purchase, even though it went against his belief of strict construction, because he knew it would increase federal power and be a giant step towards democracy. Borden supports his position by explain how Jefferson kept the National Bank even though it was created by Federalist Alexander Hamilton. Borden believes Jefferson didn’t close the bank because it was successful and Jefferson put the nation success over republican success. However, Forrest McDonald disagrees with Borden and thinks Jefferson was replacing Federalist principles with Republican ideology. Jefferson’s

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