In this Crash Course in U.S. History episode, John Green talks about America's early politics and the conflicting visions of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton wanted a strong, trade-focused America, while Jefferson favoured an agrarian nation with democracy. Their differences led to two political parties—the Federalists and the Republicans. Hamilton's Vision: He wanted a powerful government supporting trade and manufacturing, allied with Britain. Jefferson's Vision: He preferred a farming-based America, distrusted concentrated power, and admired France. Political Parties: Federalists supported Hamilton's ideas, and Republicans favoured Jefferson's vision. Hamilton's Five-Point Plan aimed to strengthen the nation's economy
Looking back on the most recent election driven by partisan rancor, many Americans may be cursing Hamilton and Jefferson, the two men responsible for the creation of political parties. But, without the contributions of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson the United States economy, principles, laws and shape of the nation would not be as stable. Alexander Hamilton had fought in the revolutionary war. When he started serving as Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington America was drowning in debt. Alexander Hamilton proposed a financial plan involving the establishment of a national bank, the assumption of state debts, creating a paper currency and setting tariffs on imports to increase government revenue.
Furthermore, the country’s two most qualified constitutional draftsmen, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia and John Adams of Massachusetts, both of them influential in essential states in the struggle for ratification and cohorts of the new Constitution, had been assigned to Europe on diplomatic duty. Consequently, their participation in the deliberations of the new Constitution or in the open debates over ratification could not take place. They nonetheless communicated among one another and with associates back home, willingly exchanging ideas on the Constitution’s weaknesses and strengths. A number of the Framers requested the views of Jefferson and Adam. For example, James Madison of Virginia communicated of a frequent with Jefferson, as Roger
Although it can be argued that Thomas Jefferson’s government policies were better than Alexander Hamilton’s, Hamilton, overall, had the better policy because of his persistence to progress, his federalist beliefs, and his understanding of the issues with Jefferson’s trust in the common man’s morals. Thomas Jefferson can be described as a leader who lived in the present*, whereas Alexander Hamilton had his vision set on the future of the country. He saw America’s strength lying in its commerce, and saw industry, trade, and manufacturing as forces of progression. In order to fuel the nation’s success in the global marketplace, a strong federal government would be needed. Hamilton supported a powerful central government because he recognized that
Jefferson vs Hamilton’s Inspiration and Beliefs The Federalist ideas of Alexander Hamilton influenced the future Democratic Republic government, created by Thomas Jeffferson as president, by finding the money management used by America and the beliefs behind negotiation and centralized government. During the late 1700s, Hamilton became the secretary of state and created the plan to bring America out of its debt. As a federalist, many of his ideals included the elastic, or necessary and proper, clause and giving more power to the government, as this affected his plans of taxation, banking, and constitutionality in certain decisions made by the government. These Hamilton inspired ideas changed America’s perspective on nationalism and power of
During Washington’s administration, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had different political views; which created tension between both parties: the Democratic-Republican Party and the Federalist Party. Both parties had different ideologies on how the country should run. The conflict between both parties caught Washington's attention, which led him to write letters for both Hamilton and Jefferson. After Hamilton and Jefferson receive the letters, they wrote him back to explain their current feud between each other. Both Hamilton and Jefferson had different visions for their country.
The views of Hamilton and Jefferson gave birth to political parties because of their different approach for financial and economical issues. However, their main issue was how they would distribute power among the people and to avoid excessive power among one person. There was a mass debate between Hamilton and Jefferson. Hamilton favored a strong central government where Jefferson favored power among all the states. The Jeffersonian main issue about Hamilton’s plan was that they did not want to be dependent on one person so they won't make the same mistake like Britain.
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were two of the most influential figures in the early years of the United States.(More background info) They both played pivotal roles in shaping the nation, however despite their commitment to American independence, Hamilton and Jefferson had different visions of the future and what they would do to get to their end goal. These differences to their ultimate plans included: How they viewed the people, Their differing political parties, and what they thought the best government was. Their famous feud and conflicting views helped create the mold that would shape the United States to what it is today. Firstly, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had fundamentally different views on the people and what
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were complete opposites on the political spectrum, it only makes sense that the two were constantly at odds. Jefferson opposed nearly every viewpoint that Hamilton had. Whether it was on economics, how people who were delegated, foreign policy, and their parties themselves they were contrary to each other. Jefferson, “Distrusted special privilege” (Jefferson), on the other hand Hamilton, “Thought that the rich, educated and wellborn were the people who should rule” (Hamilton). Jefferson believed that no one should more power than anyone else based on class, Hamilton wanted the upperclass to run the government.
From 1794-1824, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton had contrasting views on how the government and country should operate. Hamilton focused on fixing short-term financial issues through his Financial Plan by uniting the states under a national bank and creating protective tariffs to establish American manufacturing. Jefferson opposed many of Hamilton's ideas because he feared they would give too much power to the federal government. He encouraged farming and resisted Hamilton's belief in a strong manufacturing system. Both visions fought one another to gain favor, but one was more prominent overall.
Alexander Hamilton and other Federalists had a distinct vision for the direction America would take. They believed the country required a strong national government with a centralized authority, a complex commercial economy, and a significant presence in world affairs. (American History, p170). Thomas Jefferson and his followers envisioned a nation that would progress in a different direction. They believed the nation should focus on agriculture and remain mostly rural.
Jefferson's democratic-republican party views are always contradictory to the Federalist party founded by Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson believes in small federal government and more powers to individual states, his policies are around people and they should rule the government. Jefferson always follows strict constitutional rules. Jefferson always believed the country economy will improve through the agriculture. Hamilton views are very contrasted to Jefferson's view.
In the 1790s, there were two men who had different beliefs regarding how the United States should function. The two men were Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was the leader of the Republican party and Hamilton was the leader of the Federalist party. The political parties were created by Hamilton and Jefferson based on their differences in opinion on how the country should run. For example, Jefferson believed that the government should be self-governed and all of the power should go to the individual states.
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton both had very differing ideas on what America should look like. Hamilton led the Federalist party and believed in a strong central government and a loose interpretation of the constitution which means that politicians could read inbetween the lines and bend the rules. Jefferson led the Democratic-Republican party who believed in a weak central government and a strict interpretation of the constitution which allowed only what was specifically said in the constitution. This division often made it difficult for the country to agree on things and make change when it was needed. In addition to this political division, the North and South were two very divided areas.
Each one had their own view of how to do this, but it was a main goal of both politicians. Alexander Hamilton was a founding father and leader of the Federalist party. Hamilton wanted America to be just like Great Britain. He believed that in the best interest for the country, the government should be run by elite people with lots of money. Hamilton was The United States Secretary of Treasury, during this time, and proposed many of his reform ideas to Congress.
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.