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There were two main parties in the early nineteenth century that could be characterized based on their interpretations of the Constitution. The Jeffersonian Republicans were seen as strict constructionists, while the Federalists were viewed as broad constructionists. The Jeffersonian Republicans believed that the Constitution should be taken word for word and if something was not specifically granted in the Constitution, then the act could not be carried out. The Federalists believed that they could shape the Constitution as they wished and could be manipulated in order to fit the current situation. These characterizations of the two parties were not totally accurate during this time, seeing how both of them strayed away from their normal beliefs in order to achieve what they wanted.
While Jefferson was in office during the early part of the nineteenth century, he proved himself as a strict constructionist most of the time. In August of 1800, Jefferson's first year of......

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