Thomas Jefferson's Compromises

Thomas Jefferson was the third elected president of the United States. He believed violence and war was unjustifiable, foreign alliances should be avoided, and was a advocate that the constitution should be strictly interpreted. His beliefs and desire to make America a powerful nation contradicted each other during the Tripolitan war, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Embargo Act. Jefferson was challenged personally and philosophically. Before the Tripolitan War, Jefferson wanted the United States to set an example for the world by not using military forces and gaining friends by peaceful coercion. His principles were challenged and forced to be bent when the Barbary State pirates blackmailed and stole from merchant ships along Mediterranean. Federalists were forced to buy protection which in Jefferson's vision, he did not see war across the Atlantic or paying tribute to pirate states. Once Tripoli declared war with the United States due to lack of protection money, Jefferson had no other choice but to dispatch the Navy to the shores of Tripoli. Eventually, Jefferson

Jefferson knew it was a good buy, in contrary, he would have to break his anti-alliances policy in order to defeat Napoleon and his army. He proposed to make an alliance with Britain against France to secure New Orleans. Once Louisiana was ceded by the United States by signing three treaties for $15 million, Thomas Jefferson the strict constructionist was conflicted. He did not want to break the constitution where it says the president is authorized to obtain treaties with a large expanse into the union. The expanse was filled with diverse inhabitants, he ensured that American experiment in democracy would be beneficial. Jefferson was shameful when submitting the treaty to the Senate and admitted the purchase was