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The political opposition for the Federalists during the presidencies of Jeffersonian Republican leaders Jefferson and Madison. This was just another battle in the much larger war, spanning all of American history, between the two main stay political parties. Jefferson and Madison's actions during their presidencies and Federalist proposals clearly prove that the Jeffersonians were loose in policy during this time period. Classically, throughout history, the party in political power wants to keep a tight reign on their power and maintain a strong hold on the national government, this is called strict constructionism. During the time period of 1801 to 1817, the Jeffersonians had two different presidents in office. The Jeffersonians wanted to be able to loosely interpret the constitution to serve their own needs as a political party. On the other hand, since the Federalists were out of power they wanted to emphasize states rights so that they would have some amount of small power in government. Since they didn't have the major say in the national government, they wanted the Constitution interpreted for what was there, not what wasn't. By that, it is meant that they wanted everything done by the book. If the Constitution didn't say the Republicans had the power to do something, then they couldn't assume that power. These two sides of the same coin couldn't appear more different, however, they are virtually interchangable. These beliefs and practices change drastically as one party looses power and another gains control. This theory is proven via Document A. Just one year before the Jeffersonian take over of the government, the Federalists were in power. Document A clearly proves that at that time, because his party wasn't in power, Jefferson himself supported states rights and strict constructionism. The Embargo Act of 1807 is a prime example of loose constructionism by the Jeffersonians during their tenure as political leaders of the US. This Act placed a trade embargo suspending all trade, due to an attempt to remain neutral in the fighting between France and Britain. Jefferson felt that if trade were cut off with these two nations they might possibly start to respect our neutrality. However, Jefferson was afraid that if he only restricted trade with these two nations, and allowed all other trade continue, traders would file false sea plans and trade with Britain and France anyway.
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