Did Thomas Jefferson abandon his deeply held political values ​​to purchase the Louisiana Territory from the French (P. 2)? This is the main question that has led to many debates in America's early history (P. 1). Some historians argue that Thomas Jefferson, in effect, set aside his commitment to states' rights and constructionism with the great Louisiana Purchase for the United States (P.1). On the other hand, some believe that President Jefferson supported his political beliefs, strengthening republican government, with the Louisiana Purchase (P. 1). David A. Carson argues in "Blank Paper of the Constitution: The Louisiana Purchase Debates" that Thomas Jefferson abandoned his political ideals when he purchased Louisiana (P. 1). The Louisiana Territory gave the United States control of the Mississippi Valley and mainland North America, and opened the door to the expansion of slavery throughout the country (P. 3). Although the Louisiana Acquisition was important to the success and growth of the United States, Carson states that President Jefferson, “saw that it threatened to make the Constitution “carte blanche” as it expanded the powers of the national government beyond even those of many Federalists diehards could have imagined" (P. 3). On July 16, two days after Jefferson received the purchased treaty, he convened his cabinet to help him plan the course of the agreements through Congress (P. 4). The Cabinet decided to reconvene Congress on October 17 to give both houses sufficient time to act before the recess on October 30 (P. 4). Prior to the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory, President Jefferson struggled with the constitutional difficulties of adding l'o...... middle of paper ......providing protection to citizens and ensuring a progressive future to the country. I believe he or she is appointed solely for the greater good of our nation. Although President Jefferson went against his principles of having more rights for the states and strict constructionism for the government, he purchased the Louisiana Territory because he saw how beneficial it would be to the growth of America. As president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson looked not at the criticism he would face, but at the bigger picture of how the new territory would positively affect the country. Since both historians provide a sufficient amount of facts on which to base their arguments, my final opinion is that President Jefferson did indeed abandon some of his political beliefs by purchasing Louisiana, but I believe he did so to improve America as growing country. Village.