During the presidencies of Jefferson and Madison, there were many deviations. The two political parties each had their beliefs and favored them until new situations occurred, like the Louisiana Purchase and expansionism. Although the Jeffersonian Republicans practiced strict construction and the federalists practiced loose construction, they reversed roles in military, commerce, and tariffs during the presidencies of each Jefferson and Madison.
In the beginning of the presidencies, the Republicans stood for a strict construction, a strong state government, whereas the Federalists practiced a loose construction, a strong central government. Jefferson originally stated that the states should have the power and that the federal government is like the king (Doc A). The Republicans thought that the farmers were the backbone of the economy due to the large production of crops. Then, later in the presidencies, Jefferson leaned in the direction of the Federalists by saying the states should still have the power for religious decisions because the Constitution didn't apply power for this by the federal government (Doc B). The constitution also didn't have anything in regards to the embargo act (Doc C). Jefferson passed the embargo acts in order to rebel against the British because the British were capturing American ships and sailors. His plan failed. Jefferson originally cut more than half the navy because he thought it was unnecessary. Then, he reversed and made a new navy to go and block all trade into Britain. The Reserved powers under the 10th amendment of the constitution said that the states should get more power for the good and understanding of the people. The Jay Treaty in 1794 greatly disturbed the Republicans because the British said the states still had a pre-revolutionary war debt to pay. The Kentucky and Virginia resolutions brought about the compact theory, which gave the states more power than the federal government, which would please the Republican Party.
