Louisiana Purchase Dbq

Louisiana Purchase was one of the biggest land transaction in our antiquity. In the year 1803, United States compensated around the ballpark figure of fifteen million dollars for over eight hundred thousand miles of estate. This purchase was one of his most glorified deal that he ever made but also posed a major philosophical dilemma

for Jefferson.

He was against the strong, central government but felt it

was necessary in terms of abroad affairs. When the National Bank was created he totally departed from it.

They used the elasticity of the clause (Art 1, sec. 8, Clause 18). He felt that all the aptitude given to the

National Bank was not declared in the constitution. He strongly concluded if it were not declared in the Constitution

Jefferson believed in a very

strict and rigid interpretation towards the Constitution. Like his Republic principles, Jefferson believed

that government must act within the stated boundaries of the Constitution. He believed whole

heartedly that the Constitution should be honored and not violated. Jefferson believed that it had to

be rigorously interpreted.

Why did Jefferson feel this deal was so necessary, because in 1801, Spain and France signed a classified

treaty ceding Louisiana to France? France suddenly posed a potential threat to America. There was fear

that if America did not purchase New Orleans from France, it could lead to a conflict. He believed it would

help America secure the water way passage to the Gulf of Mexico. Jefferson also believed that it would double

the body of America and become the predominant force to contend with.

Therefore, Jefferson sent envoys to France to try and secure its purchase for two million dollars. Instead, they

returned with an agreement to buy the entire Louisiana territory. In the document Jefferson sent to

Robert R Livingston 0n 18th April, 1802. He clearly states that the territories while it belonged to

In another letter Jefferson sends to John C. Breckinridge on 12 August 1803 clearly states that he was

fully aware that he used the Executive powers casting the Legislature behind. Again in his words “it is a

case of a guardian investing the money of his ward in purchasing an important adjacent territory and

saying to him when of age, I did this for your good”. Jefferson fully agrees that he has crossed his line

but at the same time recapitulates that “their act will confirm and not weaken the Constitution”. The Louisiana Purchase seems to have strained his belief in circumscribed government. The Legislative Branch did

not accommodate with the French Government. It did not endorse the sale. The treaty and understanding to

purchase Louisiana was decided by the Executive Branch alone. It was evident to Jefferson though that the

purchase of the Louisiana Territory was crucial for peace and prosperity of United States. It is here

where the political dilemma might have caused a moral hesitancy in Jefferson. Luckily, the people of the

United States basically agreed that this was an excellent deal for the country. With the acquisition of this new