the early republic conflict between thomas jefferson and alexander hamilton

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Conflict between Thomas Conflict between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Jefferson and Alexander

HamiltonHamilton

The Early Republic• Chronology:• 1776 – Declaration of Independence• 1781 – Articles of Confederation• 1789 – Federal Constitution• 1791 – Bill of rights added to the

Constitution

Thomas Jefferson• Author of the

Declaration of independence

• Secretary of State in President Washington’s Cabinet

• Believed in a loose interpretation of the constitution.

Alexander Hamilton• Delegate to the

Constitutional Convention

• Was Secretary of the Treasury in George Washington’s Cabinet

• Favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution.

George Washington• Became the fist chief

executive of the new Republic.

• Put his stamp on the new government by creating the presidents Cabinet

• Sided with Hamilton more than Jefferson.

Conflict• Alexander Hamilton favored that the

national government assume the debts of the states.

• To pay the debt he wanted an excise tax, and tariffs and establish a national bank.

• He wanted the nations’ capital to be established in Philadelphia or new York.

Conflict• Thomas Jefferson wanted the states to

be responsible for their own debt.• He and other southerners wanted the

capital to be located in the South.• Thomas Jefferson opposed creation of a

national bank because there was nothing about it in the Constitution.

Compromise• The national capital would be

located in the South after moving from New York to Philadelphia to a place to be chosen at a future time.

• In return the Southern interests would support the assumption of all debts by the national government.

Break• Alexander Hamilton pushes for the

creation of a National Bank, based on the idea that a national bank is one way to control commerce.

• When President Washington supports Alexander Hamilton over the objects of Thomas Jefferson, he resigns from the Cabinet.

Alexander Hamilton’s Views

• Democracy:• The best course for the United States is

government by an aristocracy. • The Federal Government:• A powerful federal government is

necessary to ensure the peace and liberty of the states.


• The Economy:• Government should encourage the

growth of cities, manufacturing, and shipping. Tariffs are necessary to protect American industry. The federal government should assume state debts and establish a national bank. A national debt, if not large can aid the economy.


• The President and Congress:• The President should serve in office for

life. A lifetime senate should be recruited only from men of property.

• The Law:• Congress has the authority top enact

any legislation that is necessary and proper for the security, growth, and well-being of the United States.

Democratic – Republicans Views

• Democracy:• The common people will make just and

wise decisions. • The Federal Government:• A centralized federal government

infringes on the rights of the individual and leads to abuse of power.


• The economy:• The United States would be better off to

remain an agricultural nation. Tariffs are harmful to the farmer and the American economy. States should pay their own debts. A Bank of the United States is not necessary. A national debt should not be permitted.


• The President and Congress:• Everybody should have an equal

opportunity to serve in public office. Elections should be held regularly and often.

• The Law:• Congress should have the power to do

only what the Constitution explicitly authorizes it to do.

Origins of the Political parties

• Alexander Hamilton organized the first political parties as a way of promoting his program for the new country.

• When Thomas Jefferson broke ranks with the “federalists” individuals began to create a party in opposition to the Federalists and became known as the Jeffersonian – Democrats.

Federalist Views • Foreign policy:• Supporting England in its war with

France during the Napoleonic Era.• Foreign relations:• Create a protective tariff that will

protect infant American industries from domination by Great Britain but at the same time be on friendly terms with Great Britain.

Federalist Views• Immigration:• Restrict immigration because new

immigrants tended to support Jeffersonian policies over Federalists policies. The alien acts also allowed foreigners to be deported during wartime.

Federalist Views• National Government:• Support of a strong central government

as a way to protect the economic and political interests of the new republic.

• Navy:• Create a strong Navy to protect

American manufacturing and shipping interests.

Jeffersonian - Democratic Views

• Foreign policy:• Supporting France in its war with

England during the Napoleonic Era • Foreign Relations:• No special favors for manufactures rely

on American farmers as the key to American prosperity and are on friendly terms with France because of their help during the Revolution.


• Immigration policy:• Welcome new immigrants because

they tended to have similar interests to Jefferson especially after the Federalist party pasted the Alien acts that raised the residency requirement to 14 years.


• National Government: • Favor a weak central government as a way to

protect political and economic interests of the new republic.

• Navy:• Create a minimal navy that would be used to

protect the American coastline. A strong navy would not be needed because American interests would be concentrated away from the coastal areas.

the early republic conflict between thomas jefferson and alexander hamilton

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