Alexander Hamilton
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were two of the early leaders of the U.S. They had very different opinions on how to run the country.
Pick one aspect that they differed on and explain both sides. In addition, explain which side you would have supported if you had lived in the early 1800s and why.
Have fun APUSH! You rock!!!
Mrs. Demmel
Probably the most famous conflict between the two leaders, the creation of a potential National Bank seemed to bring a cold shoulder to both leaders. Thomas Jefferson favored a very strict, literal interpretation of the Constitution, whereas Alexander Hamilton favored the exact opposite. When it came to the issue of a National Bank, Jefferson argued that the Constitution did not explicitly grant this power, therefore it should not be created. Hamilton argued that the Constitution intended for the welfare of the nation, and a National Bank would assist in achieving that on the economic base. Personally, I stand in advocation for Hamilton's argument, because there are multiple powers that the Constitution does not "explicitly state", because not every little detail can be written in, and the Bank would alleviate the economic status of the time period.
ReplyDeleteA factor of dispute between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton was their uptake on the foundation of the United States. While Thomas Jefferson supported the more agrarian-based economy such as in the South, Hamilton was more inclined toward industry and commerce-based economy as was popular in the Northern colonies. If I were a colonist during that time period, I would side with Hamilton's ideas, since his idea of economy is easier spread through a nation, while an agriculture-based economy is not always supportable in all geographies.
ReplyDeleteOne conflict between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson was the debate over the American Constitution. Hamilton, a Federalist supported a stronger central government. He advocated the ratification of the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, however was a Democratic-Republican and
ReplyDeleteAnti-federalist who strongly opposed the new Constitution. One of his main arguments was that states should have more power as they best protect republicanism. He believed the federal government should have little or no more power than it did under the Articles of Confederation. I find that Hamilton’s argument had more truth in this case. A weak federal government had already been tried under the Articles of Confederation and was obviously not working. The post-revolution economic crisis and Shays’ Rebellion are just two examples of the problems caused by the weak central government created by the Articles. A stronger federal government was the only way to truly unite the very disparate colonies to solve the problems that arose immediately after the American Revolution.
One major conflict between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson was the debate over foreign policy and Jay's Treaty. In 1794 John Jay was sent to England to discuss a compromise between England and the United States of America. Alexander Hamilton supported the British and wanted to gain alliances with them post revolutionary war while Thomas Jefferson opposed the British and wanted to form alliances with the French. Thomas Jefferson was very angry with Hamilton and Jay after this treaty. If I were living at this time, I would probably side with Hamilton. I think that the British are still a very strong and powerful country and it would benefit our new nation greatly if we could form and alliance with them. I do agree with Jefferson that we should form an alliance with the French too.
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ReplyDeleteOne major point of contention between both Hamilton and Jefferson were the requirements to vote. Jefferson believed that the voting requirements should be lowered, making it so that many of the people in the lower or middle class could vote. This would make the government more democratic, as more people got a voice in the voting. However, Hamilton supported raising the requirements to vote. He argued that many common farmers and workers did not understand government that well and would make poor choices regarding the passing of legislation. If I lived in this time period, I would side with whoever gave me the right to vote. If I was richer, I would support Hamilton. However, I would side with Jefferson if I did not meet the qualifications to vote under Hamilton's system.
DeleteOne conflict between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson was their view on the economy. Hamilton believed in a mercantilist economy, which had a high focus on exporting goods and making money. He also believed in a more urban based economy. Thomas Jefferson believed in an economy based on agriculture and rural matters. This was one of their major conflicts regarding how each would run the country.
ReplyDeleteAnother issue between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson was national debt. Alexander Hamilton wished to adopt all of the state’s debts that they gained during the war and so that America could build international credit. This would be accomplished by taking on the states debt because states indebted to them. That would build credit in the eyes of the international community. This gave the national government more power. Thomas Jefferson did not like this idea because he thought that this put too much power in the hands of the National government. Thomas Jefferson favored state rights. Thomas Jefferson also didn’t like the fact that Alexander Hamilton thought a National bank was necessary for controlling this debt because he thought it was unconstitutional.
ReplyDeleteMost of this information was from the book but I also found this clip from an HBO show online which goes into the issue and show some of the tension betwen them.
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=notJuFGXQ9w
One conflict between Jefferson and Hamilton was the interpretation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Hamilton, as a Federalist, favored a more lenient and loose interpretation of the Constitution. He used this opinion to support many of his arguments, like the idea to make a National Bank. In the Bill of Rights, the tenth amendment states that powers not granted to the US Government or prohibited to the states are reserved only for the states. Hamilton interprets this in a way that allows him to justify the creation of a national bank. Whereas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican chooses to interpret this completely literally, allowing him to state that the national bank would be unconstitutional. Other conflicts arose, not only between Jefferson and Hamilton, concerning literal versus not as literal interpretations of the Constitution. I agree with Hamilton’s views in this, but only to a certain extent. The Constitution cannot be interpreted differently to the extent of completely nullifying it, but how it was written, allowances should be made for certain things that benefit the people.
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ReplyDeleteOne aspect that pitted the views of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson against each other was the decision in intervening on the war in 1973 with Revolutionary France against Monarchical Great Britain. The main point of this argument was whether the United States was required to support France because of the establishment of the Franco-American Alliance Treaty in 1778. Hamilton and Washington's cabinet advised that Washington immediately declared neutrality and proclaimed the treaty temporarily suspended. While they also took note upon the dangers of involvement, they reasoned that because France and Great Britain were engaged in conflict, the majority of the colonial trade of Europe would be delivered to neutral powers, thus providing the United States with outrageous amounts of profit. Jefferson, on the other hand, believed it highly unlikely that the French expected the Americans to abide to the treaty. He viewed Hamilton's proposal as rather harsh and impulsive and instead insisted that the administration should simply remain indecisive and simply "wait and see."
DeleteIn this situation, I would have sided with Hamilton's argument. Knowing that the United States was currently recovering from a debt crisis, it would have been beneficial to seek other opportunities to further quicken this process. With Hamilton's fiscal program gradually restoring the financial health of the United States, it would not have been wise to engage in war, knowing that the price to commit to such action was risky and costly. Additionally, by supporting France, the United States would have been at the brink of straining their relationship with Great Britain, the nation's most important trading partner as well as the world's greatest naval power at the time. I would have overall simply sided with Hamilton or rather than support the French because of the Franco-American Alliance, I would have also supported the British, knowing that France was inferior in combat and economy.
I do take note, however, that Hamilton eventually did come to suggest that the US support the British and Jefferson suggested that the US support France, but I'm merely addressing the issue of intervention prior to these notions.
DeleteAlexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson differed on their visions of government and their understanding of American people and power. Hamilton believed that America's strength was in its commerce, in businessmen, entrepreneurs, bankers and financiers, and that the government should help these people in the global marketplace, and as mentioned before, he believed in a strong national government to help. Jefferson, on the other hand, while agreeing with Hamilton on America's strength in commerce, differed greatly in his understanding of the American people. Jefferson believed that America's success and strength came from the farmers, and that the government should help these people instead of Hamilton's financiers and businessmen, and that the best way was through state governments.
ReplyDeleteIf I were a farmer who lived in the 1800's, I would have supported Jefferson's side because he supported the farmers, and he believed in placing more power on the state governments, and in doing so, leaving power close to the farmers. If I were a financier, or businessperson, I would have supported Hamilton.
However, I also think Hamilton's ideas were more practical for the nation at that time and helped transform America into what it is today.
One conflict between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton was on the structure of the new United States government. On one side, Thomas Jefferson and the anti-federalists believed that the United States government should be a more democratic government. On the other hand, Alexander Hamilton and the federalists wanted to have a government based on the British system. I would support Thomas Jefferson because if I had just broken away from the British mostly because of the government, I would not want to copy the government I had just broken away from.
ReplyDeleteAnother conflict between Jefferson and Hamilton were their views on whether or not internal taxes should be maintained. Hamilton wanted to enforce the internal taxes because they encouraged the American economy by supporting trade within the citizens. Jefferson opposed these internal taxes because they were direct taxes to the people by the federal government; this violated the people's and the states' rights to him. Another conflict between Jefferson and Hamilton were their views on whether or not internal taxes should be maintained. Hamilton wanted to enforce the internal taxes because they encouraged the American economy by supporting trade within the citizens. Jefferson opposed these internal taxes because they were direct taxes to the people by the federal government; this violated the people's and the states' rights to him. I would have supported Jefferson at this time. The taxes imposed by Britain before the Revolution clearly angered the people, and the American government would be hypocrites by similarly taxing the new American citizens.
ReplyDeleteOne of the many Conflicts between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were their beliefs on human nature. thomas Jefferson, being a Democratic-Republican, put his faith in the simple farmer from the south. he believed that an informed person could be counted on to make the right decision when it came to government. He stated that if a farmer and a professor were asked the same question, the farmer would often give the better answer. Alexander Hamilton on the other hand did not trust what he called the mob. he believed that people make decisions purely based on their own benefit. He thought that the working class was to selfish and ignorant to be trusted with the decisions of government. These views were formed when he was in the military. He repeatedly saw soldiers make a decision based on personal benefit rather that patriotism. Therefore he believed in the elite upper class as the most reliable decision makers. i would side with Thomas Jefferson, despite the reasoning Alexander Hamilton has for his beliefs.
ReplyDelete"Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson." Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2013.
DeleteOne aspect that Jefferson and Hamilton differed on was their visions of the American people and where power was to be drawn from such. Hamilton believed that America’s strength was drawn from its commerce. Hamilton believed in people that were businessmen, bankers, and entrepreneurs. Hamilton wanted the power to be drawn from the elites of the American people, while Jefferson did not. Jefferson claimed that these elites that Hamilton alluded to were nothing more then commercialized citizens who depended on the labor of independent farmers for their success. Jefferson backed the idea of a government that supported farmers and rural field workers, meaning that American power should revolve close to them. If I were living in such times of the 1800s I would’ve likely been behind Jefferson on this point. Though the elites are likely educated, everyone has to come from somewhere, and the common farmer should not be pushed aside just because he has not yet reached an elite position.
ReplyDeleteOne issue that Jefferson and Hamilton disagreed about was the exuctive powers that the President should have. An example of this would be if the president had the power to declare neutrality during a war. During the Napoleon Wars, Hamilton thought that George should publicly declare neutrailty where as Jeffereson believed that congress should do it. He believed this because since it was congresse's job to declare war, it should also be there job, to declare neutrality. Eventually Washington sided with Hamilton and issued the Neutrality Proclamation in 1793. I would have sided with Jefferson on this point. I believe that congress should have the right to declare neutrality because it is also their duty to declare war.
ReplyDeleteThomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton frequently butted heads on their ideas of who should govern the new American nation. Jefferson, who quite proudly considered himself a man of the people, supported the idea of a government representing ALL of the people, including the "commonfolk". (That belief was undoubted reflected in his mostly-firm support of the French Revolution, which aimed to topple the aristocratic class and their privileges.) He set himself firmly against the idea of any person in a governing position having "special privileges" that would set them above the ordinary American. Contrastingly, Hamilton believed that society's elite (the rich and educated) should be the ones in power, no matter if they represented the majority of the population or not. Their beliefs could be seen in their support for either the agrarian population (Jefferson) or the merchant population, and would undoubtedly play a part in their popular support, politically.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to not admire Jefferson in his stubborn beliefs of American equality and democracy. It's hard to not lean toward such liberal views, but given the state the country was in following the Revolutionary War, I think I would be more inclined to agree with Hamilton's views for rebuilding the economy. Even if he was something of a prick. Jefferson wins more points on personality, at least.
Frequently Jefferson and Hamilton disagreed about how prevalent the federal government should be in a citizen's life. Hamilton advocated for a strong, centralized, federal government that had final say in matters not just addressed in the constitution and its amendments. In comparison Jefferson believed the federal government's power should extend no further than what is specified in the constitution with states maintaining the majority of power. While Jefferson's argument is valid that states no what is the best for them, it neglects to take account for what is in the best interest for the entire nation. What is good for one state isn't what is always good for a whole country. Hamilton recognized this and strongly supported a centralized federal government which would consider the good for the country as a whole and not just one specific state.
ReplyDeleteIn this argument I would have to side with Hamilton as I believe states should maintain their rights but this is the UNITED States of America, not the Fifty COUNTRIES of America. Only a strong federal government will think for the good of a country. Because only the federal government will think this way, Hamilton's ideas of a strong federal government make more sense to me than Jefferson's ideas of allowing states to maintain the majority of control. In conclusion, I support Hamilton in this argument
Of the many disagreements Jefferson and Hamilton had one on individual liberties. Jefferson believed that they should be protected by law . However Hamilton believed that sometimes they should be restricted like freedom of speech. If i were living during this time period i would probably agree withe Hamilton. During this time period very few people were educated and trying to have normal folks argue against the educated ones would be pointless. I'm all for everyone having an opinion but not everyone is capable of asserting those opinions
ReplyDeleteOne of the main arguments that Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had pertained to the Constitution. Should the government be given only the powers expressed in the Constitution, or should it be allowed powers not directly expressed but implied to fulfill its duties? This question came when Congress was voting on whether to create a national bank; Jefferson believed it was unconstitutional to do so, as it was not stated directly in the Constitution, while Hamilton argued that it was constitutional because it helped the government to carry out one of its powers, taxing. If I were to pick a side, I would most likely choose Jefferson’s views. Although Hamilton does have a legitimate point that creating a national bank would be beneficial to the government and the nation, if this were to be constitutional, there would now be almost no law or rule that could prevent the government from extending its power anywhere it wished, including into the lives of its citizens whether they approved or not.
ReplyDeleteOne of the largest dividing factors between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton was foreign policy, specifically regarding the two European nations of France and Britain. Thomas Jefferson believed in strongly supporting France because of France's role in helping the United States win their independence, while Hamilton and his emphasis on commerce lead to his support of Britain along with the markets for American goods there. This conflict was demonstrated in the conflict of Jay's Treaty, which resulted in a largely useless treaty with Britain, and further separated the Jeffersonian Republican and Federalist parties.
ReplyDeleteWere I alive at the time, my standing on the matter would be largely affected by my role in society. If I were a wealthy merchant, for example, who depended on British markets for a living, I would definitely support Hamilton's ideals. However, a poorer farmer less affected by international trade might be inclined to side with Jefferson and thereby with France.
First of all, it must be established that Alexander Hamilton had a loose interpretation of the constitution, and Thomas Jefferson had a very strict interpretation of government. One in thing in particular that they disagreed about was the national bank. Jefferson did not want a National bank because he believed believed this centralization of power away from local banks was dangerous, and did not benefit everyone, especially southern agricultural interests. Hamilton, the one who came up with the idea of a national bank, believed that starting a national bank would a great financial innovation for the U.S, and that it would help the U.S get out of debt.
ReplyDeleteOne of the differences between the two were their views on everyday people. Hamilton wanted the country to be ruled by the wealthy elite, which he saw as smart enough to rule well. TJ wanted the country to be "by the people, for the people" and governed by everyone in it. Except blacks and women of course. TJ also believed that the public didn't need excessive prior education to vote just anyone with enough information about what was going on.
ReplyDeleteThomas Jefferson was a strong supporter of gun rights for everyday citizens. He supported the notion that only an armed populace could guard its liberty against tyranny. Hamilton thought only military and government should be armed, to reduce violence and reduce the risk of violent rebellions such as Bacons Rebellion. I would have supported Jefferson, because this is America, and I dont the the gov'mt takin my dang gun. Also I wholeheartedly support the notion of accountability in the form of potential rebellion by the people.
ReplyDeleteHamilton believed in a big central government. Somewhat more like a monarchy. He wanted one central power and wanted to give little notice to the people that were under privilege. Only giving the right to vote and lead to wealthy, privileged, white men. He wanted industry and big corporations to help run americas economy. Hamilton basically believed in a strong government to control the people.
ReplyDeleteThomas Jefferson believed the opposite. He believed that the people deserved a voice. He didn't want a monarchy type government he wanted a democracy for the people to make choice for themselves. Jefferson supported small family owned businesses and the common man. He believed in states rights and equality among everyone. Basically Jefferson thought the government should be ran by and of the people.
I would agree with Jefferson because I believe that one central power wont help the new nation. They had just left a monarchy they didn't want to jump back into another one. Separate state governments and small businesses will be the better way to help the country's economy and government grow.
One major difference between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson was their difference in economic viewpoints. Jefferson favored an economy based on farming. It was working for the US in the south, and it was the more traditional way of going at it. Hamilton wanted to industrialize the US economy. The North was already in the throes of the Industrial Revolution. Also, while the south may be living off of their crops, the North was making most of the country's income from industrial methods.
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