THE VIRGINIA DYNASTY 1801 1825
THOMAS JEFFERSONS PRESIDENCY LOUISIANA PURCHASE LEWIS CLARK AND MORE
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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Strict interpretation of the Constitution.
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Loose interpretation of the Constitution
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Either A or B
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None of the above
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Detailed explanation-1: -The ability to buy property from foreign governments was not among these powers listed the Constitution – a fact that his political opponents, the Federalists, were eager to point out to the President. Instead, Jefferson considered a constitutional amendment the only way to conclude the deal with France.
Detailed explanation-2: -Though it was not immediately apparent to constructionists such as U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, the Louisiana Purchase was ultimately determined to be constitutional.
Detailed explanation-3: -He wrote in 1803, “The General Government has no powers but such as the Constitution gives it… it has not given it power of holding foreign territory, and still less of incorporating it into the Union. An amendment of the Constitution seems necessary for this.”
Detailed explanation-4: -However, there was one problem-Jefferson didn’t think it was constitutional. In fact, Jefferson adamantly maintained that the general government lacked the power under the Constitution to acquire foreign territories, despite his own wishes to buy the territory.