FP - Thomas Jefferson (Lesson)

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States and the first president to take office in the nation’s new capital, Washington D.C. In the election of 1800, Jefferson tied Aaron Burr for electoral votes. After 35 tie votes in the House of Representatives, it was Jefferson’s opponent, Alexander Hamilton, who convinced his Federalist allies to elect Jefferson the Democratic-Republican. As a Democratic-Republican, Jefferson preferred a weaker federal government. However, his decision to purchase the Louisiana Territory from the French actually increased the power of the presidency and by extension the power of the federal government.

 

Interpretation of the Constitution

As the United States’ first political parties, the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans had many issues in which they disagreed. One area of disagreement was the interpretation of the United States Constitution. Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans believed the United States Constitution should be interpreted literally, just as it is written. This is known as a “strict” interpretation of the Constitution. The Federalists, on the other hand, believed the Constitution could be interpreted in different ways according to certain circumstances. This type of interpretation is known as a “loose” interpretation.

The Democratic-Republicans believed power should be held with the states and not with a strong central government. Therefore, the Democratic-Republicans’ preference for a strict interpretation of the Constitution believed that those powers not specifically listed in the Constitution would be held by the states. The Federalists desired a strong central government. The Federalists believed in a loose interpretation of the Constitution which would grant more power to the federal government. The Federalists based their argument on the concept of the “elastic clause”. The elastic clause from Article 1 of the Constitution states that Congress may pass laws that are “necessary and proper” for conducting government.

The Louisiana Purchase

Thomas Jefferson, as a Democratic-Republican, wanted to promote the principles of a loose interpretation of the Constitution. However, one event arose that challenged Jefferson’s views. Just after Jefferson was elected president, he sent two diplomats to inquire about purchasing the port of New Orleans from France. Under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte, France had acquired the Louisiana Territory in North America. Jefferson believed he would be able to negotiate the sale of New Orleans from Bonaparte. However, Bonaparte, looking to finance his conquests in Europe, decided to sell the entire Louisiana Territory, not just New Orleans. To Jefferson, this was an opportunity neither he, nor the United States, could pass up. While Jefferson had given the diplomats permission to spend $10 million to purchase New Orleans, the United States was able to purchase the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million. Not only was the United States able to purchase the strategically important port of New Orleans, but they were also able to double the size of the United States and pave the way for westward expansion and new economic opportunities for the future.

However, for Jefferson, his action to purchase the Louisiana Territory (or just New Orleans) was an action not specifically listed in the Constitution. Therefore, Jefferson, a believer in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, was now using a loose interpretation for perhaps the greatest achievement of his presidency.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

Having purchased the vast Louisiana Territory from France, Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the territory, map and bring back information on its resources and routes. During their 16-month expedition, Lewis and Clark recorded information on new plants and animals discovered in the territory. Lewis and Clark detailed maps, trails, and routes they used during their passage. Their journals detailed their encounters with Native Americans, including their fortunate relationship with the Native American guide Sacagawea. Sacagawea, along with her French husband Toussaint Charbonneau, were vital guides and translators as they accompanied Lewis and Clark through the territory. Lewis and Clark were able to reach the Oregon Territory and the Pacific Ocean making way for future westward expansion even though the Oregon Territory was not a part of the Louisiana Purchase and was claimed by Great Britain. Having commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Jefferson again took a loose interpretation of his powers granted to him in the Constitution.

 

Click here to access an interactive map of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by the Glider-Lehrman Institute of American History. Links to an external site. Explore the interactive map to see the route they took and learn more about their journey. 

 

PORTRAIT OF THOMAS JEFFERSON BY REMBRANDT PEALE, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS