Why did Jefferson oppose the creation of a national bank?

A The government would have no place to safely deposit its money.

B It gave too much power to the states.

C It would make the economy unstable.

D The Constitution did not give Congress the power to create one.

1 answer

D The Constitution did not give Congress the power to create one.

Thomas Jefferson opposed the creation of a national bank primarily because he believed that the Constitution did not grant Congress the power to establish such an institution. He argued for a strict interpretation of the Constitution, meaning that the federal government should only exercise powers explicitly granted to it by the document. This view contrasted with those, like Alexander Hamilton, who favored a more expansive interpretation that allowed for implied powers.