ipl-logo

Comparing Alexander Hamilton And Thomas Jefferson

958 Words4 Pages

The beginning of the United States brought together a variety of competing ideas and interests. It was a time of wide-scale conflict not only in the revolutionary realm, but the political sphere as well. In no two people is this better exemplified than Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Yet despite their differences, it is arguable that both of them made equal contributions to the country which they helped create. (1)

Hamilton’s hardworking nature and can-do attitude became the driving force behind his varied amount of accomplishments. His father had skipped town soon after he was born, his mother died when he was young, and he had few other family members to fall back on. To make up for these lackluster credentials, he decided to work himself at a constant pace. While he is most well-known for his authorship of fifty-two of the eighty-five essays comprising the Federalist Papers, he didn’t stop there. In fact, Hamilton would argue with anyone he didn’t …show more content…

He knew numbers, and he also knew that the future of the United States was tied to cities, factories, and the ability for a national bank to be chartered. Not only that, but he wanted the nation to keep close ties with Britain economically, mostly because the idea of placing financial backing in a country where heads were quite literally rolling didn’t seem the smartest way to go. (7)

Despite these differences, Hamilton and Jefferson played important roles in the beginning of the United States. For one, they were both brilliant writers. Both of them created compilations that would later become premiere documents of the time period. Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was part of the fire that brought about the Revolutionary War, and it is still stands as a model of true freedom today. Hamilton had a lasting impact on our national government as well when he penned those essays placed in The Federalist Papers some two hundred years ago.

Show More
Related

  • Compare And Contrast Hamilton Vs Adams

    672 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although the two Founding Fathers were both similar in a majority of their thoughts, the tiny differences between the two highlight a larger part of the nation’s history. Hamilton believed

    Read More

  • The Most Disputable Founding Father: Alexander Hamilton

    151 Words  | 1 Pages

    Alexander Hamilton (2004), written by Ron Chernow delineates America's most disputable Founding Father. The book gives a wide perspective on early America, with top to bottom accentuation on Hamilton's whole life, achievements and his relationship to certain Founders. Prior to reading this book, I considered Hamilton to be an amazing yet oppressive man who was much of the time involved in conflicts with other Founders. I recall that he advocated a stronger central government, protectionism, mercantilism, and a national bank. Additionally, I knew that he composed parts of the Constitution and wrote the vast majority of The Federalist Papers.

    Read More

  • How Did Alexander Hamilton Change American History

    398 Words  | 2 Pages

    How can a man with such a rocky beginning grow up to change American history? Before his unfortunate death at age forty nine, Hamilton had accomplished what one can only call greatness. Declaring to be born in Nevis in the British West Indies, Hamilton was the product of an illegitimate marriage. However, he never let this status define him, and only sought harder for honor and glory. From high points in his life, such as being the first secretary of the Treasury, to the low points, the Reynolds Pamphlets, this paper will outline Alexander Hamilton's astonishing life.

    Read More

  • What Is Alexander Hamilton Necessary?

    961 Words  | 4 Pages

    Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of Treasury of the United States, had a lot going for himself being a man that came from poverty to success, and he was a man “all powerful and fails at nothing which he attempts” admitted a congressman in 1791 (Tindall and Shi). Born in the Caribbean in the West Indies, abandoned by his father and orphaned at the age of 13 by his late mother who had died. Later moved to New York, became a lawyer and transitioned to nationalism thus giving him the important role of handling the weight of the debt America had accumulated $54 million deep after the Revolutionary War (Digital History). Hamilton saw the need for some financial credit to be given to America and he had the right idea by proposing a National Bank to his first president George Washington. Word dispersed of that proposal leading a

    Read More

  • Differences Between Hamilton And Thomas Jefferson

    742 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ideologies among Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the third President of the United States, differed from those of Alexander Hamilton, one of the

    Read More

  • Revolutionary Characters: What Made The Founders Different By Gordon Wood

    1179 Words  | 5 Pages

    He was able to combine an idea and politics. Hamilton is the reason the two are so closely tied together, and in doing this, he is known as the man who made modern America. He also envisioned America to have large debts, military force, and a modern economy with the large government. This is why Hamilton is probably the only who would understand America today. These are just some of the examples that Wood gives throughout the book that entail the difference in the Founders and todays

    Read More

  • Jefferson Vs Hamilton The Fears Of The Federalists

    586 Words  | 3 Pages

    Jefferson v. Hamilton There are many conflicts in the early years of the American politics. There are two famous political parties during the early years of American Independence, and their ideologies were completely opposite. Thomas Jefferson was the third American President from 1801-1809. Alexander Hamilton was the founder of Federalist party and President Washington elected him as a first secretary of the treasurer.

    Read More

  • Jefferson Vs Hamilton Dbq

    468 Words  | 2 Pages

    Both men have made very significant accomplishments during their lifetime. Jefferson became the Vice President of the United States. This position caused problems because the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches were in favor of the Democratic party and Jefferson was in favor of the Republican party. Therefore, it was difficult for Jefferson to obtain support because everyone disagreed with his views and ideas. If Jefferson and Hamilton did not disagree, the United States could run more

    Read More

  • Alexander Hamilton: The Most Important Figure In American History

    876 Words  | 4 Pages

    Alexander Hamilton (2004) is a detailed true story of one of the most important figures in American history. It is based on Hamilton’s early life. As a politician, as a revolutionary war hero, and the first treasury secretary, Hamilton dedicated his life and intellect to unifying and strengthening the United States. Hamilton in truth did perhaps more than any other one person to secure the power of the American Union. Though he was never president, he was a hero deemed as a true founding father, title he kept till his death.

    Read More

  • How Did Hamilton Contribute To The Formation Of Political Parties

    636 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the farewell speech of George Washington (1796), the outgoing president warned that the creation of political factions "sharpened by the spirit of vengeance" would certainly lead to "formal and permanent despotism." Despite warnings from Washington, two of his closest advisers, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, helped form the factions that led to the dual party system in which the United States operates today. Other men, including James Madison and John Adams, also contributed to the formation of political parties, but Hamilton and Jefferson came to represent the divisions that shaped the national political landscape at the beginning. Although both men had been active in the revolutionary effort and in the foundation of the United States, Jefferson and Hamilton did not work together until Washington appointed Jefferson as First Secretary of State and Hamilton as First Secretary Of the Treasury. From the beginning, the two men fed

    Read More

  • Comparing Thomas Jefferson And Alexander Hamilton

    649 Words  | 3 Pages

    When it comes to Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton the main difference between the two was their political party. The basis of each of their political parties set the boundaries for their beliefs and their views as politicians. Both men were founding fathers of our country, and made a huge impact on history as we know it. Without these men, our country's government might not be what it is today. One of the only similarities of Jefferson and Hamilton was their want to diminish national debt.

    Read More

  • Alexander Hamilton's Transportation Revolution

    1568 Words  | 7 Pages

    Hamilton wanted to create public credit with a treasury system, a national bank, a mint, and increase manufacturing which would help unify the country. On the other hand, there was Jefferson, who opposed a strong central government. He argued that the “wealthy would gain at the expense of ordinary Americans and that Hamilton’s political economy would corrupt the morality of citizens and undermine the social conditions essential to republican government”(Powerpoint). The country would opt for an approach closer to Hamilton’s views. One of the first acts was the National Banking Act.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Jefferson And Hamilton

    1449 Words  | 6 Pages

    Hamilton vs. Jefferson Visions to Reality     Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton both had very defined visions of the scope and power of the new federal government, how they saw the future of the economic development, and what the United States society should become. In my opinion Alexander Hamilton had more of an impact on the United States during the 1820’s and on contemporary government when compared to Thomas Jefferson. His policies did not strictly work during that time and many of his ideas are still seen in today’s society. Jefferson’s views and ideas on/of the national bank, higher tariffs, debt assumption, The Federalist Party, and his support of the ratification of the Constitution are all reasons in why his policies and visions came closer to becoming a reality.     Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, molded the gatherings that provoked to the twofold party system under which the U.S. works today.

    Read More

  • How Did Alexander Hamilton Be An Economic Genius

    800 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Hamilton’s background would always set him apart and give him an outlook on life and politics the other Founding Fathers did not share”(Gordon,50). Hamilton helped shape Washington’s foreign policy. Hamilton advised Washington on the Neutrality Proclamation, which declared that America would not become entangled in affairs but be friendly with both

    Read More

  • Comparing Alexander Hamilton And Thomas Jefferson

    497 Words  | 2 Pages

    There was many differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson,they both had different ideas of how to run the country. Hamilton was a Federalist; he wanted the nation government to be strong , while Jefferson was a Democratic- Republic, he wanted the states to hold more power.(Competing Visions of Government: The Federalists vs. the Republicans) They both have different views in political issues and ideals for the country. Alexander Hamilton wanted a strong central government because he experienced the results of a weak central authority.(The Differences Between Hamilton & Jefferson's Views on Political Party Beliefs)On the other hand Thomas Jefferson wanted a weak central government because he thought that the threat of cruel

    Read More

More about Comparing Alexander Hamilton And Thomas Jefferson

Open Document