Hamilton VS Jefferson
Who was more successful at manipulating the machinery of government to shape American society? Alexander Hamilton or Thomas Jefferson? Why?
Thomas Jefferson:
- Jeffersonian
- Secretary of State
- Cautious about enhancing power of federal government
- Favored yeomen farmer
- Sympathized with French
- Policies continued that of Washington with westward expansion (Irony is the Louisianna Purchase. Jefferson was dedicated to strict interpretation of Presidential powers but seized the opportunity to double the size of the US with purchase of LA.)
- Explicit powers, strict interpretaion of Constitution
- Agrarian
- Jeffersonian Republicanism: self-sufficiency. If everyone is independent they are likely to behave in a maner that will sustain the republic.
Alexander Hamilton
- Federalist
- TreasurySecretary
- Had agreement of Washington with regard to broaden economy and strengthen national government for purpose of national growth.
- Concerned with development of material resources to make nation self-sufficient
- Tended to favor Great Britain in foreign affairs
- Pressed for larger regular army as a means of expanding the power of national government (justified by need to deal with Indians)
- Implied powers proponent
- Believed corruption of government is what makes it work
- Commercial, not agrarian
- Pushed the Alien and Sedition Acts
- During Era of Good Feelings his ideas take hold (develop military, internal improvement, charter national bank)
winner: Alexander Hamilton, father of the national debt. America develops a national bank, develops on credit, establishes a standing army, US still allies with Britain, and continues on the path of governmental corruption.
September 25 2005 04:06 pm | History and Ramblings
