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On which issue did Jefferson contradict his policy of "strict construction of the Constitution?

The National Bank

Dealing with the Barbary States of North Africa

The Louisiana Purchase

None of the Above

1 Answer

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Answer:

Let's define our term first. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a strict constructionist is "one who favors giving a narrow conservative construction of a given document or instrument, specifically one who favors a strict construction of the Constitution of the United States." In other words, a strict constructionist of the Constitution believes in interpreting it exactly as it is written.

In the case of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the French offered the United States the entire Louisiana Territory of over 800,000 acres, which would double the size of the country, for the ridiculously low price of $15 million. Although he was eager to close the deal, Jefferson believed that the Constitution should be interpreted strictly and literally, and there was no provision in it regarding the federal acquisition of foreign land.

For this reason, Jefferson wanted to add a constitutional amendment before authorizing the purchase. However, Jefferson's cabinet and Congress disagreed.

Step-by-step explanation:

User Vadim Belyaev
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