The historical audacity of the Louisiana Purchase - Judy Walton

Summary

This transcript recounts Thomas Jefferson's struggle with his principles during the Louisiana Purchase. Known for his opposition to big government and strict interpretation of the Constitution, Jefferson ironically doubled the nation's size with a deal for the Louisiana Territory. Although he initially opposed actions not explicitly outlined in the Constitution, he justified the purchase using an implied power argument, one he had previously criticized. The purchase, negotiated without his approval, cost $15 million and is considered one of the greatest real estate deals in U.S. history, despite Jefferson's internal conflict.

Takeaways

• 📜 Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, was not initially a fan of the U.S. Constitution because he feared it granted too much power to the national government.
• 🛑 Jefferson's concerns revolved around what he saw as 'big government' and a lack of sufficient power reserved for the states.
• 🤝 Jefferson only agreed to support the Constitution after James Madison promised to propose a Bill of Rights to address his concerns.
• 🏦 Jefferson opposed Alexander Hamilton's plan for a national bank in 1790, arguing there was no constitutional basis for it, rejecting Hamilton's 'implied powers' argument.
• 🛬 When Jefferson became president, he promised to reduce the size and scope of the national government.
• 🌍 Spain secretly transferred the Louisiana Territory to France, catching Jefferson and the U.S. government by surprise.
• 💸 U.S. negotiators secured a deal to purchase the entire Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, even though Jefferson knew there was no constitutional provision for such a purchase.
• 📝 Jefferson initially sought a constitutional amendment to justify the purchase but was unsuccessful in persuading Congress.
• 🤯 Ironically, Jefferson ended up using the same 'implied powers' argument that he had previously rejected to justify the Louisiana Purchase.
• 🌎 The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States and has been called one of the greatest real estate deals in U.S. history, costing only about three cents an acre.

Q & A

What was Thomas Jefferson's stance on the new constitution in 1787?

Thomas Jefferson was not a fan of the new constitution in 1787 because he believed it gave too much power to the national government and not enough to the states.

Why did Jefferson eventually agree to support the constitution?

Jefferson agreed to support the constitution reluctantly when his friend James Madison promised to propose a bill of rights after its ratification.

What was Jefferson's opinion on Alexander Hamilton's proposal for a national bank?

Jefferson opposed the proposal for a national bank because he believed there was no provision in the constitution to permit such an establishment.

How did Jefferson attempt to constitutionally justify the purchase of the Louisiana Territory?

Jefferson initially tried to get an amendment passed to expressly permit the purchase, but when that failed, he used the argument of implied powers in the constitution's treaty-making power.

What was the initial plan for the Louisiana Territory when it was discovered that it had been transferred to France?

The initial plan was for Congress to discuss buying a piece of the territory along the Mississippi River for about $2 million.

What was the final deal that the U.S. negotiators in France agreed to?

The U.S. negotiators in France agreed to a deal for the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million dollars.

How did the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory impact the size of the United States?

The acquisition of the Louisiana Territory doubled the size of the United States, providing a vast amount of new land for settlers.

What was the irony in Jefferson's decision to use the argument of implied powers to justify the Louisiana Purchase?

The irony lies in the fact that Jefferson, a strict constructionist and opponent of big government, used the same argument of implied powers that he had previously mocked, to justify an action that significantly expanded the federal government's reach.

What was the cost per acre for the Louisiana Purchase?

The Louisiana Purchase was made at a cost of about three cents per acre.

How is the Louisiana Purchase described in terms of its significance to U.S. history?

The Louisiana Purchase is often referred to as the greatest real estate deal in the history of the United States due to its strategic and economic impact on the country.

What was the role of President Washington in the establishment of the national bank?

President Washington played a key role in the establishment of the national bank by supporting Alexander Hamilton's proposal despite Jefferson's opposition.