USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Federalists strongly opposed the purchase, favoring close relations with Britain over closer ties to Napoleon. Both Federalists and Jeffersonians were concerned over the purchase’s constitutionality. Many members of the House of Representatives opposed the purchase. Majority Leader John Randolph led the opposition.

Detailed explanation-2: -Many Federalists, however, did in fact oppose the Louisiana Purchase. Some were concerned about the constitutionality of the treaty with France. Others feared the impact of the purchase on the political balance of power between slave and free states.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Federalists, led by Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, wanted a strong central government, while the Anti-Federalists, led by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, advocated states’ rights instead of centralized power.

Detailed explanation-4: -Ironically, the deal to expand federal powers would need to be sold to the Federalists, who had advocated such a position before the treaty was signed, and supported by the Republicans, Jefferson’s party, which had opposed such a broad extension of presidential powers. The debate in the Senate only lasted for two days.