Jeffersonian Republican Controversy

With respect to the federal Constitution, the Jeffersonian Republicans are usually characterized as strict constructionists who were opposed to the broad constructionism of the Federalists. To what extent was this characterization of the two parties accurate during the presidencies of Jefferson and Madison?

Prior to 1800s, the Jeffersonian Republicans are characterized as strict constructionists who believed that the authority of national government rest on what is specified on the Constitution. The Federalists, on the other hand, maintained as broad constructionists who argue that government should do whatever that is not forbidden on the Constitution. However, throughout the course of 1801 to 1817, both parties failed to stay consistent with their original principles and adopted whichever interpretation of the Constitution that serves them best.
Politically, the War of 1812, also known as “Mr. Madison’s war” with Britain, stirred the most controversy in Federalist and Republicans. Madison supported the war because of the seemingly auspicious terms he can get out of the war. War of 1812 promised several things: more land for settlement, completely elimination of Britain’s presences in America and Canada, and most
Both acts restricted American ships from engaging foreign trade between the years of 1807 to 1812 especially to England and France. To Federalists in New England, who profited from supplying Britain and French during Napoleonic war, the two acts placed by Jefferson is an abuse of power by the Federal government. They felt the constitution did not provide government the power to place embargo, and believe that the government is dragging the nation’s economy back (Doc C). Jefferson once again loosely interprets and Constitution and validates these acts by claiming these acts as protection of American interests and avoid