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1998 Dbq

Decent Essays

During the early 1800s, two parties were developed having different perspectives on government and the Constitution. The Democratic Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, were always characterized by following the strict construction of the constitution. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, were characterized by following the broad construction of the constitution. The presidencies of Jefferson and Madison proved this characterization to be somewhat accurate. Although the Democratic Republicans and the Federalists did support their own ideas and views, they also did many things that contradicted them. The Democratic Republicans started out by supporting their ideas fully and confidently. In Jefferson's letter to …show more content…

He recommended a charter of the national bank and a tariff to protect young industries. In Document F, John Randolph implies that Madison has surrendered his republican ideals and is emulating a more federalist point of view when the administration called for the tariff of 1816. In conclusion, Madison's actions did not coincide with the original ideals of the party. The Federalists also were greatly confident in their views of the Constitution and the government. Once again, in Document A, Jefferson states that the views of the Federalists were wrong. By stating this, it simply displays the views of a Federalist. The letter shows that the Federalists had different perspectives and the disagreements the two parties had. During Jefferson's term, John Marshall became the most dominant Federalist figure in the federal government. Under Marshall's domination, the Supreme Court retained a Federalist outlook even after Democratic-Republican justices achieved a majority in 1811. The Court consistently upheld federal supremacy over the states and protected the interests of commerce and capital. Over the years, Marshall significantly increased the Supreme Court's power over the country, demonstrating the idea of a Federalist, the idea of a powerful central government. Just like the Democratic- Republicans, the Federalists also had a hard time with their principles. In the speech by

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