Alexander Hamilton vs. Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson trusted the people to fix their own problems… Hamilton wanted a central government strong enough to fix America’s problems…

Federalists & Anti-Federalists Opposed the Constitution Included Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee Strongest in rural areas Opposed a strong central government Concerned the Constitution didn’t include a bill of rights Federalists Supported the Constitution Included many framers (Washington, Hamilton, Madison) Strongest in urban areas Supported by those in favor of a strong central government Supported by merchants, skilled workers, laborers Patrick Henry Nearly immediately after the Constitutional Convention concluded its work and the delegates submitted it to the states for ratification, supporters and opponents of the document engaged in a series of spirited debates. Supporters of the Constitution, also known as Federalists, praised the strong central government it would create as well as the concepts of separation of powers and federalism (which divided the power of government between the federal and state levels). Some of the more well-known Federalists were Alexander Hamilton (pictured above), George Washington, and James Madison. The Federalists tended to be concentrated more in cities and included many skilled workers and laborers. The opposition, also known as Anti-Federalists, distrusted the idea of having a strong central government. Some of the more well-known Anti-Federalists were Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and Richard Henry Lee. The Anti-Federalists were also concerned that the Constitution did not include a Bill of Rights. Anti-Federalists tended to be concentrated in rural areas and included both small farmers and large plantation owners. In an effort to gain public support, Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay published a series of essays in favor of the Constitution, titled The Federalist. The essays provided an in-depth analysis of the Constitution, including separation of powers, specific provisions, and its guarantee of majority rule balanced with sustaining minority rights. The Anti-Federalists countered with Letters from the Federal Farmer, written by Lee, which argued that the Constitution needed a bill of rights that would protect individual civil liberties such as freedom of expression and the right to a trial by jury. Alexander Hamilton Jefferson is in France, as minister to France, and is concerned about a lack of protection of individual and the rights of states.

Now that President Washington is in office… It’s time to fix the economy What’s the problem? The government had a national debt of $81.5 million dollars! Amount of $ owed by the governments to other people Foreign countries Citizens the government borrowed money from What happens if the government does not pay these people back?

Debate over settling the debt Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton Wanted to pay back all bonds sold to citizens over time! Bonds = certificates purchased that can be turned in for more money in the future Why did Hamilton want to do this? Government gains credibility with the people Ok with Hamilton’s ideas, but there is a problem: Speculators have bought bonds from citizens for less than they are worth! Now the government is going to buy them from the speculators for full price? That cheats the original owner out of money! Who wins? Hamilton! 1790 Government starts buying bonds back!

Debate over Paying off debt owed by States from the American Revolution Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson Argued that government should pay states debt off Why? All fought for freedom. Ties the states to the national government. So who wins? Both….sort of. Felt each state should pay back their part of the bill Why? Some states owed a lot! Massachusetts New York Some did not owe much at all Virginia North Carolina

They both get something in the end. Hamilton Jefferson Federal government pays off the states debt. In exchange for…. The nation’s capital moves from the North to a more Southern location…. The birth of Washington, D.C. Will be built as the new nation’s capital!

Debate over Role of Government Hamilton Jefferson Had little faith in the average citizen (Fears democracy) Said people could not be trusted to do the right thing. Mobocracy feared Why? Because the average American does not take education seriously They take politics even less seriously So, you need a large government Job = protect the liberties of all citizens equally Had a lot of faith in the average citizen Said people should govern themselves Said people would educate themselves and do what is right So, government needs to be small Job = stay out of the way

Debate over how the Economy should grow Hamilton Jefferson Government should give “stimulus” money to American entrepreneurs Why? So they could start their own factories and businesses Hire people Make products here Government should pass protective tariffs Tax on goods from other countries Government should stay out of the economies way Why? America is made up of farmers! They know how to do it themselves! Don’t need any help! Tariffs should remain low Keep price of goods lower. Helps citizens be able to afford them

Debate over a national bank Hamilton Jefferson Hated the idea of a national bank Why? Some states are richer than others They would lose this power if the federal government owned all of the money What is the big deal? The Constitution does not give the government the right to make a bank anyways…. Or does it? Wanted to start a national bank. Why? So that the national government can make one currency No more state money What is the big deal? Federal government would own all of the money in America! Not each individual state

What does the Constitution say? Article I, Section 8 Congress has the right to “make all laws that are necessary and proper” Hamilton (loose) Says a bank is necessary for future growth as a nation Builds good credit Jefferson (strict) Says a bank is convenient Unconstitutional Not necessary Benefits urban rich Takes power from the states

Who wins? Washington agrees with Hamilton…again. Bank of the United States Created in 1791 For 20 years If it works we will keep it longer If not, will get rid of it.

Meanwhile… While America is trying to build itself into a great country…. A great country is trying to destroy itself…. 1789 French Revolution Replaced monarch with a democracy like America…. Hamilton fears a mob like France’s Jefferson supports revolution