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Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton: Different Views on Government
source: The American Nation
Washington’s first cabinet included two extraordinary personalities, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas
Jefferson. Both had served the country with distinction during the Revolution, were recognized by [their
peers] as men of special genius as well as high ambition, and brought to public office a powerful vision of how
the American people could achieve greatness. The story of their opposing views during the decade of the 1790s
provides insight into the birth and development of political parties. It also reveals how [common political
beliefs, in this case, democracy], could be interpreted in such vastly different ways that decision about
government policy turned friends into [rivals]. Indeed, the falling out of Hamilton and Jefferson reflected
deep, potentially explosive division within American society.
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson did not agree on many issues in regards to the role of the federal
government. At the root of their quarrels were different views about what best for the young United States.
Manufacturing v. Farming
Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed about economic policy. Hamilton thought the United States should model
itself on Britain and seek to develop closer commercial and diplomatic ties with the former mother country. He
felt the government should encourage manufacturing and trade. He urged his fellow citizens to think it terms
of bold commercial development and create systems of banking and credit. He also favored the growth of cities
and the merchant class who helped make cities possible.
Jefferson believed that farmers, rather than merchants, were the backbone of the new nation. The Secretary of
State [thought] that the strength of the American economy lay not in its industrial potential but in its
agricultural productivity. He feared that a manufacturing economy would corrupt the United States by
concentrating power in the hands of a small group of wealthy Americans.
Federal v. State Governments:
Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed about the power of the federal government. Hamilton wanted the federal
government to have greater power than state governments. A strong federal government, he argued, could
encourage the growth of commerce. It would also have the power needed to restrain unruly mobs, such as
protesters who led the Whiskey Rebellion.
In contrast, Jefferson hoped to make the government as small as possible. State and other local governments
should be given more power to govern the people. Then, citizens would have the freedom to act as they
pleased. Jefferson feared that a strong central government might take over powers that the Constitution gave
to the states as well as liberties belonging to the citizens.
Strict v. Loose Interpretation of the Constitution
These disagreements led the two leaders to clash over the Bank of the United States. Jefferson worried that a
national bank would give too much power to the federal government and the wealthy investors who helped run
it.
To oppose Hamilton’s proposal, Jefferson argued that the law creating the bank was unconstitutional, that is,
not permitted by the constitution. Nowhere did the Constitution give Congress the power to create a bank, he
argued. Jefferson thought that any power not specifically given to the federal government belonged to the
states.
Hamilton did not agree with Jefferson’s strict interpretation of the Constitution. He refused to be bound to the
strict wording of the Constitution. The Constitution gave Congress the power to make all laws “necessary and
proper” to carry out its duties. Hamilton argued that the Bank was necessary for the national government to
perform such duties as: collect taxes, regulate trade, and declare war. Thus the establishment of a national
bank was constitutional.
Party Rivalry
At first, Hamilton and Jefferson clashed in private. However, when Congress began to pass many of
Hamilton’s programs, Jefferson and James Madison decided to organize public support for their views.
Republicans and Federalists
Soon, leaders in other states began organizing to support either Hamilton or Jefferson. Jefferson’s supporters
called themselves Democratic - Republicans, often shorted to Republicans. Republicans included small
farmers, craftworkers, and some wealthy planters.
Hamilton and his supporters were called Federalists because they wanted a strong federal government.
Federalists drew most of their support from merchants and manufacturers in cities such as Boston and New
York.
CARTOON ASSIGNMENT: Create a cartoon that represents the opposing viewpoints on government that
Hamilton and Jefferson embodied.
1.
2.
Create a title for your group’s cartoon.
In the speech bubbles, make up a conversation that Hamilton and Jefferson might have had about how
the government should be run. Include in your conversation at least THREE ISSUES that Hamilton
and Jefferson did not agree on.