1. Loose verses Strict Example
What is the student’s interpretation of the following statement? Teacher says: “You are tardy when the bell rings.”

2. Strict Construction
You are tardy if you are not in your seat and ready to begin class when the bell ring.

3. You are tardy if you are not in the room when the bell rings.
Loose Construction
You are tardy if you are not in the room when the bell rings.

4. Different views on the Constitution
What do Strict Constructionist Believe?
What do Loose Constructionist Believe?
Small Government
The Federal Government only has the power specifically stated in the Constitution.
States and Citizens should have more power
Big Government
The Federal Government has all the power except what is forbidden by the Constitution.
The National Government has more power.

5. What political parties do those ideas remind you of?

6. How They Interpreted the Constitution
Loose Construction:
Hamilton
Strict Construction:
Jefferson and Madison
Believed in a narrow interpretation
Government only has powers that are clearly stated in the Constitution
No National Bank because not mentioned in the Constitution
Believed in a broad or flexible interpretation
Believed in “elastic clause” allowing Congress to carry out duties they believed were “proper and necessary”
Wanted a National Bank

7. What are the arguments for each side?
Alexander Hamilton
Thomas Jefferson
Strict Construction
Loose Construction
Washington
Madison
Adams
Where do you fit in?
What are the arguments for each side?

8. Democratic-Republican
“New” Political Parties Major differences: Foreign and Domestic policies
Federalist
Democratic-Republican
Hamilton and Adams
Strong national government
Fear of mob rule
Loose interpretation of the Constitution
Favored a national bank
Economy based on manufacturing and shipping
Supporters: Many Northerners, lawyers, merchants, manufacturers, and clergy
Jefferson and Madison
Limited national government
Feared rule by one person or a powerful few
Strict interpretation of the Constitution
Opposed national bank
Economy based on farmers
Strong belief on democracy and republican system
Supporters: Farmers and tradespeople