Hamilton Vs Jefferson

As America was growing, founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, both had different visions for American Society. Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, believed strongly in an agricultural society for America and wrote “The Importance of Agriculture.” In his writing he spoke about why an agricultural society would be so beneficial and how industrialization would hurt the people’s values. Although, contrary to Jefferson’s vision, Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of state, believed in an industrial society. He wrote a response to Jefferson called, “Report on Subject of Manufactures,” where he argued how industrialization is better for America as a whole and for the people. Jefferson’s vision was
While Jefferson’s visions prove to be more idealistic, Hamilton’s views are more pragmatic for the future of America. Jefferson’s ideas focused mainly on morals and values, and didn’t focus on what the government needed for the economy. He states in his writing, The Importance of Agriculture, “Corruption of morals in the mass of cultivators is a phenomenon of which no age nor nation has furnished an example.” He believes that no one has ever achieved a completely moral nation, and that America should set the example for the rest of the world instead of focusing on working and making money. People cannot live like in a world like that, and ultimately Jefferson is contradicting himself by saying that America should set an example. If no one ever achieved a moral and virtuous nation, it was possibly because it did not move their country forward and help improve it. Although, Hamilton disagrees and believes industrialization will move the economy forward, which is what America needs. Hamilton responds to Jefferson by writing in his Report on the Subject of Manufactures, “It may be inferred that manufacturing establishments… a positive augmentation of the produce and revenue of the society.” He believes that manufacturing will bring a lot of money for society, and benefit the economy much more than simply farming. In order for the country to become bigger, richer, and more powerful, their economy needs to expand. In order to do so Hamilton believes we need industry. Jefferson feels that even though agriculture was morally good for the country, however, Hamilton thinks by not industrializing America would fall behind every country in the world. Hamilton writes, “Beget an earnest desire that a more extensive demand for that surplus may be created at home...” If America industrializes, then therefore, according to Hamilton, more countries will want the goods we produce. The more goods