Thomas Jefferson And Alexander Hamilton

Thomas Jefferson was a man who felt that a strong federal government was dangerous to

the nation, as he strongly feared tyranny. He felt that a strong state government would protect

individual rights and individual freedom. Jefferson was very cautious about how the new

government should be run, and he wanted it to closely follow the Constitutional. For example, Jefferson didn't want a national bank because he worried that it would give too much power to the wealthy investors who would run it and to the government. He argued that the Constitution did not give Congress the power to create a national bank. Instead, amendments 9 and 10 stated that any power not specifically listed in the Constitution was granted to the states. Because of this, he thought that having a Bank of the United States was unconstitutional. He also believed it was unconstitutional because it only made the rich, richer. Another example that demonstrates his fear of tyranny was that he believed everyone of voting age should be allowed to vote, and the people should have the political power. Jefferson favored the French, who were their aid during the Revolution and were fighting to become a democracy themselves. In addition, Jefferson thought life was better on a farm, and he emphasized agriculture. In fact, he wanted everyone to become a farmer, so everyone would be equal. He feared that a manufacturing economy would give all the power to a small group of Americans; in other words, he felt that even having a national bank would lead to tyranny.

Alexander Hamilton, on the other hand, wanted a strong federal government in order to increase commerce and help restrain mob violence such as the Whiskey Rebellion. Hamilton also felt that having a strong federal government would also make it easier to solve national problem. Hamilton favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution. He argued that since the Constitution gave Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out its duties, it was constitutional for the Bank of the United States to collect taxes and pay its bills. Hamilton also thought only the well educated should lead the nation, and only those who owned property should be able to vote. Hamilton favored the British because many imports were from the British, and he wanted the United States to model itself on Britain because it was a very powerful country. Additionally, Hamilton wanted to have an industrial economy because he favored the growth of cities and the merchant class.

Hamilton had the best vision for America. While Jefferson was too busy making sure that there would be no tyranny, Hamilton set out to make a government that would be both fair and effective to rule the people. He focused on keeping order, and not on things already taken care of, like tyranny, which was already taken care of by the Bill of Rights. At the time and all the way up until today, there are more important things to focus on than tyranny, like money and foreign affairs.