Jefferson and the Jeffersonian Republicans believed that the authority of the federal government was based on a strict constitution. The Federalists believed in the opposite. Federalists believed that the constitution should be interpreted in a loose and broader way. The Federalists were able to make decisions that were not written word for word in the constitution. Jefferson states his disagreements with James Madison when he says, “Our country is too large to have all its affairs directed by a single government.” (Document A).
Federalists, on the other hand, believed in broadly adhering to constitution, characterizing them as broad constructionists. This allowed the Federalists to make decisions that were not clearly supported by the constitution, ultimately giving the government more power than the constitution. While the Federalists and Republicans were thought as very diverse parties, their beliefs ended up crossing during the presidencies of Jefferson and Madison. Therefore, from 1801 to 1817 while the Federalists were considered to be broad constructionists and Republicans strict constructionists, they both went astray from their beliefs so each party could do what was best for themselves and, most importantly, the country. From 1801 to 1809, during the presidency of Jefferson, it was the first time that the Republicans and Federalists didn't abide by the ordinary ideals each group previously followed.
Zinn also uses an excerpt from historian Charles Beard to explain his reasoning. Beard basically said that the rich controls the government or the laws the government operates by. Zinn points out that the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights shows that quality of interest hides behind innocence. Meaning that Congress completely ignores the freedom of speech. Professor of history Gordon S. Wood views the struggle for a new constitution in 1787-1788 as a social conflict between upper-class Federalists who desired a stronger central government and the “humbler” Anti-Federalists who controlled the state assemblies.
At the time, the states feared a strong central government, for this reason, the Continental Congress tried to give the states as much independence as possible. After the ratification of the Articles of Confederation the states pretty much governed themselves, they regulated their own interstate trade, they raised their own militia, and the Sovereignty resided in the
The Federalists were usually characterized as loose constructionists, which meant they focused more on the intent of the constitution and its framers, and believed that changes were necessary for the development of the nation. Although Republicans and Federalists were characterized as having these particular views towards the enactment of the Constitution, when Jefferson and Madison served as Presidents during the beginning of the 19th century from 1800 to 1817, it was proven that even though they seemed to believe in their own views, in reality when time came, they started changing their beliefs and becoming both strict and loose constructionists for the good of the nation, which was strongly advocated by Henry Clay and his American System. The same would occur for the Federalists, so generally, each side did not accurately characterize itself during the early 19th century and proved each side had its similar interest when interpreting the Constitution. Before Jefferson became President in 1800, The Federalists dominated national politics for the first decade of America’s governmental history because of George Washington and John Adams favoring Federalist views. It was not until the
* Federalists- People who supported the Constitution during its adoption. They believed in large national government, weaker state government, and government by the elites. * Anti-Federalists- People who opposed the Constitution during its adoption. They wanted a small national government, strong state government, rule of the common man, and protections of individual liberties. * Define and give an example of separation of powers and checks and balances * Separation of powers- An aspect of the Madisonian Model of government that requires each of the three branched of government to be independent of and to share power with each other so that one cannot control the others.
In Alexander Hamilton’s written opinion for president George Washington, he said “it is conceded that implied powers are to be considered as delegated equally with express ones”. The Federalist wanted stronger federal power and therefore believed in the loose interpretation of the United States constitution, and the Democratic-Republicans wanted less federal power and therefore believed in a strict interpretation of the constitution. Alexander Hamilton was a federalist, and his economic plan involved the creation of the National Bank, however the Democratic-Republicans believed that the constitution did not give the government the right to do such a thing. This was a difference in views of the two parties, in the matters of how the constitution should be interpreted. Moreover, the Federalist and Democratic-Republicans differed in their views on foreign affairs.
The New World Times How will the constitution affect the presidential elections? In terms of this, the constitution will affect the elections because the federalists and the anti-federalists will oppose to vote for the right representative but because that the representative comes from that class…… the classes will only vote for their representative. This attempt will trouble the nation with election issues and pretty soon… the constitution will be abandoned set America for a monarchy. Editor’s opinion In my opinion the U.S constitution provided more detailed political laws that was able to help out the economy itself to prevent form having a dictatorship. However the constitution first needed to be discussed before being passed out
As the fourth President of the United States of America, James Madison was a complicated leader. He is most often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.” He was a strong nationalist that believed a strong central government was essential for the existence and future of the new country he helped found. He exercised his powers in fighting secessionists and would-be tyrants. But in many ways, President Madison contradicted his own beliefs. While Madison supported a strong central government, he also helped implement what are common separations of power and checks and balances.
He also desired equality and justice for all regardless of their religious or political affiliation but not through a government that had complete control over its people like an aristocrat would over “commoners.” Equality and protection of all citizens should be granted and protected by the government of America; a government elected by the people and for the people. Both men desired the government to have the common interest of the people at its cores, but had different ways of achieving it. Unlike Washington, who favored a centralized government, Jefferson opposed it. This created a conflict because Jefferson feared that the ideology of republicanism was threatened with a centralized and powerful government proposed by Washington as well as the supposed monarchical tendencies of Hamilton and the