The Democratic Republicans, of the early 1800's were by and large characterized as strict constructionist in respect to the Constitution, where as the Federalist exemplify more of a broad constructionist view. However neither party was perfect, both strayed from their usual ways when saw fit. The presidencies of Jefferson and Madison are prime examples in showing how accurately (or in some cases inaccurately) the Democratic Republicans stayed with in the guidelines of their label of strict constructionist. As stated above, the Federalist had their drifts from their usual classification just like the Democratic Republicans.

When Jefferson became president in 1800, he made changes that kept to the guiding principles of strict constructionist. For instance, he rid of the Alien-Sedition Acts knowing they took the rights of countless citizens by means of breaking the first amendment. He also did away with the bureaucracy and reduced the military in the belief...