How did the Louisiana Purchase represent an expansion of governmental power? (2 points)• It was done despite opposition by Federalists.• It was done without clear constitutional authority.• It was done in the first term of a presidency.It was done during a time of French unrest.

Answer 1

The Louisiana Purchase represented an expansion of governmental power for the following reasons:

1. It was done without clear constitutional authority: The purchase raised questions about the constitutional authority of the federal government to acquire new territory. President Thomas Jefferson, traditionally a strict constitutionalist, justified the purchase as a means to secure the nation's future but did not have explicit constitutional provisions for such an acquisition. This action set a precedent for future expansions of federal power beyond what was directly stated in the Constitution.

2. It was done despite opposition by Federalists: The Federalists opposed the Louisiana Purchase, arguing that it would increase the power of the presidency and the central government. Jefferson's decision to proceed with the purchase indicated a willingness to assert executive power in the face of political opposition, thereby expanding the scope of governmental authority and influence.

These points illustrate how the Louisiana Purchase was significant in terms of expanding the federal government's power and authority in the early years of the United States.