As many social changes took place during the early 19th century, American culture began to establish its own identity. Although the Federalist party met its demise soon after the "revolution" of 1800 and Republicans gained political power, the new American culture did not entirely reflect a republican vision of the nation's culture. As Republican idealists attempted to create the America they envisioned, the actual circumstances of the country and the world prevented many of their ideas from becoming reality.
One outstanding example of this is Jefferson's reaction to Napoleon's offer that would become known as the Louisiana Purchase. Obviously, it was an incredible bargain, but it went against the Republican view of the Constitution; typically, Republicans were strict constructionists and believed anything left out of the Constitution could not be done. That is why when this offer came about, and nothing in the Constitution mentioned obtaining new territory, Jefferson hesitated.
According to the strict-constructionist view, America did not have the power to buy this territory. However, Jefferson was eventually persuaded into accepting the sweetheart deal, a move that would greatly benefit the nation's future but also make Jefferson somewhat of a hypocrite.
Another instance of the failure of Republican idealism to instill itself into the nation's culture is the beginnings of the American Industrial Revolution. Although Republicans advised against development of manufacturing, the early 1800s brought many new inventions and technological advances that would develop into a manufacturing economy by the mid-19th century. America began to look forward to industrializing the country, ignoring Jefferson's hopes for an agricultural economy.
One more example where American culture contradicted the Republican vision is the spread of nationalism. A Republican view would place emphasis on the states, while a Federalist view would typically make the United States of America seem more like one unified...