Question

What was the Federalist response to the Louisiana Purchase? What outcomes resulted from the political disagreement? How do you think this might affect future disagreements in the Republic?

Answer 1

The Federalists were opposed to the Louisiana Purchase because they believed the United States should strengthen ties with Great Britain rather than with Napoleon and some argued that it may even be unconstitutional. Thomas Jefferson, the president that authorized the purchase allowed the newly acquired territory to institute slavery and this paved the way toward the Civil War 57 years later. It was during the Jefferson Administration and the issue of the purchase that galvanized partisanship and fostered the creation of political parties in the US. Also, while the French claim land was purchased, the US had to take much of it by force from the various native inhabitants of the land.