Aim: How did the political philosophies of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton differ? Do Now: Copy the Vocabulary Federalist: a member of a former political party in the U.S. that favored a strong centralized federal government Loose Constructionist: a more open approach to the Constitution. The Government can assume certain rights in doing things not mentioned in the Constitution Strict Constructionist: The Government can do things only mentioned in the Constitution Thomas Jefferson: organized the Democratic-Republican Party to oppose the Federalist Party.Democratic-Republican Party Alexander Hamilton: leader of the Federalists; as the first Secretary of the Treasury he established a National Bank

Who wrote it?...I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: that all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it the states, or the people (XII amend). To take a simple step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of the Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition. The incorporation of a bank, and the powers assumed by this bill, have not, in my opinion, been delegated to the United States by the Constitution. Who wrote this statement? Summarize in one sentence what point the speaker is conveying?

Who wrote it? “Constitutions should consist of only general provisions, the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and they cannot calculate for the possible change of things?” Who wrote this statement? What is the speaker’s view of the role of government?

Why are Hamilton and Jefferson arguing? How would a federalist feel about this argument?

Do these people look happy or mad?

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

Debate over Paying off debt owed by States from the American Revolution Alexander Hamilton Argued that government should pay states debt off Why? – We all fought for freedom. So, our federal government should pay the bill. Thomas Jefferson 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

Political Parties Political parties are as old as the Constitution itself, however the document makes no rules to govern them. The first political parties arose from the debates over Constitutional ratification (the Federalists Party lead by Alexander Hamilton and the Democratic-Republicans headed by Thomas Jefferson). It quickly became clear that political parties were to be the major forces in shaping American politics and by necessity rules and laws were established for their regulation, with no basis in the Constitution.

Jefferson vs. Hamilton The class will be divided into 2 groups 1) Jefferson 2) Hamilton Read the document After…we will fill out the Venn diagram as a class

Debate over Role of Government Hamilton Had little faith in the average citizen – Said they could not be trusted to do the right thing. – 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 Jefferson Had a lot of faith in the average citizen – Said they should govern themselves – Said they 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 Government should give “stimulus” money to American entrepreneurs – Why? So they could start their own factories and businesses – Hire people – Make products here in USA Government should pass protective tariffs – Tax on goods from other countries Jefferson 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 – Why? Keep price of goods lower. – Helps citizens be able to afford them

Debate over a national bank Hamilton Wanted to start a national bank. – Why? So that the government can make their own money – No more state money What is the big deal? – Federal government would own all of the money in America! – Not each individual state 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?