Hamilton and Jefferson Essay Writing Guidelines

Writing an Introduction Anecdote Orient reader to time period and topic Information on two men Thesis General Specific

Anecdote/Hook A quote from a historical figure from the era A quote from a historian An interesting/amusing fact or story from personal background Unusual statistics A question Orient the reader to the historical era

Introduction Who would have thought that a poor kid from St. Croix could grow up to become the father of modern banking? This rags to riches story could only have occurred in one place in the late 1700’s - America. Alexander Hamilton was a man of big ideals and large plans. He moved to new York City to obtain an education and work in business. He saw that this nation was a land of true opportunity and was excited to participate in this grand experiment. Jefferson, on the other hand, was salt of the earth. He grew up helping to manage his father’s large tobacco plantation in Virginia and his family had been a part of the Virginia planter elite for generations. Jefferson felt a strong loyalty to his state and thought farmers were the supports of this nation. This was not their only difference. Hamilton and Jefferson also had key philosophical arguments about the Constitution, an ideal economy and human nature that put them at odds with each other during Washington’s first presidency.

Body Paragraph A second dissimilar ideal between Hamilton and Jefferson is their view on an ideal economy. Hamilton’s belief about an ideal economy was a focus on developing national businesses. He supported manufacturing and trade and created the first national bank. Conversely, Jefferson’s belief about an ideal economy was a focus on agriculture and that should be managed by state governments. Jefferson believed that “this nation’s riches should be in the land, not in the banks.” This economic debate about manufacturing versus farming reveal the different philosophies concerning with whom and where the economic power in this country should reside. Should America try to compete with Europe and earn her respect as Hamilton seems to suggest, or remain provincial and decentralized as Jefferson purports? Washington creates policies for both paths to prosperity, unintentionally creating two very different regional economies.

Using transitions however nevertheless on the other hand on the contrary even so although nonetheless rather even so notwithstanding conversely in contrast alternatively otherwise instead still/yet at the same time

Write in past tense Introduce both men by using their first and last names, then refer to them by their last names. Only I.D. their political party once. Capitalize political parties and the Constitution. Don’t use () in your writing (they are interrupters) and they are really (like) really informal and you can use (maybe, possibly) commas instead. Writing Concerns #1

Combine simple sentences. Ex: Hamilton was a Federalist. A Federalist is a person who believes in a strong central government Edit for repetitive words/phrases, especially in vague sentences that don’t say anything. Ex: The two different men had different opinions on may different topics Edit to use LESS WORDS to make your point, extra words convolute meaning. BE CLEAR. Ex: One of the various reasons the Federalist and Secretary of War Alexander Hamilton believed that men were essentially selfish and evil was due to his participation in our first war, the Revolutionary War. Writing Concerns #2

Issues of Concern Move from summary to analysis Summary: And that is why Hamilton and Jefferson believed in different economies. Analysis: Their visions for economic development would set America either on course as a small collection of farming states, or as an industrialized, international power. The latter was a more prudent option for a developing country in the 1790s. Consider the “so what” question when you are finished your historical facts. How does this information effect George Washington? The regions? The country? Our relations with Europe? Our future?

Scoring Guide Be sure to BOLDFACE your thesis when you type. Chart (15): Outline (15): = 40 points total Essay (10):