The Political Views of Jefferson vs. Hamilton
AP U.S History
Ian Fout
Per.2
While both Jefferson and Hamilton were brilliant minds and were major contributors to establishing our nation, and its flourishing, they both had very different views on key structural aspects of the country. They both stood for opposing political sides, Hamilton a solid federalist, while Jefferson was an anti-federalist, or republican. Their political differences helped shaped their separate images clearly throughout history. Hamilton believed that a strong central government was the key to the government’s success and had a loose interpretation of the constitution and thus concurred that civil liberties and other aspects of the constitution should at times, be restricted. Jefferson believed in a strict version of the constitution, he opposed of Hamilton’s creation of the national bank and believed it to be unconstitutional. As key additions to the government, they also had a different outlook on the people of the country. Jefferson maintained faith in the people, yet distrusted special privilege among them. Hamilton however, believed that the power should rest in the wealthy and educated and wished to raise voting qualifications. Economically, Hamilton wanted a solid balance of agriculture, trade, and manufacturing to nurture the country. Jefferson on the other hand, believed that agriculture alone should be the backbone of our economy. He believed that states alone should manage their economic growth without the government stepping in or helping, whereas Hamilton thought the opposite. He believed in the creation of the national bank and internal taxation, brought forth by the central government. Jefferson supported an overall strong government inside the states rather than in the central government and wished to be able to conserve states rights, he feared anarchy inside the government. Hamilton wished to establish a powerful and strong central government with less power in the states and to reduce states rights. This was
Ian Fout
Per.2
While both Jefferson and Hamilton were brilliant minds and were major contributors to establishing our nation, and its flourishing, they both had very different views on key structural aspects of the country. They both stood for opposing political sides, Hamilton a solid federalist, while Jefferson was an anti-federalist, or republican. Their political differences helped shaped their separate images clearly throughout history. Hamilton believed that a strong central government was the key to the government’s success and had a loose interpretation of the constitution and thus concurred that civil liberties and other aspects of the constitution should at times, be restricted. Jefferson believed in a strict version of the constitution, he opposed of Hamilton’s creation of the national bank and believed it to be unconstitutional. As key additions to the government, they also had a different outlook on the people of the country. Jefferson maintained faith in the people, yet distrusted special privilege among them. Hamilton however, believed that the power should rest in the wealthy and educated and wished to raise voting qualifications. Economically, Hamilton wanted a solid balance of agriculture, trade, and manufacturing to nurture the country. Jefferson on the other hand, believed that agriculture alone should be the backbone of our economy. He believed that states alone should manage their economic growth without the government stepping in or helping, whereas Hamilton thought the opposite. He believed in the creation of the national bank and internal taxation, brought forth by the central government. Jefferson supported an overall strong government inside the states rather than in the central government and wished to be able to conserve states rights, he feared anarchy inside the government. Hamilton wished to establish a powerful and strong central government with less power in the states and to reduce states rights. This was