Comparing Alexander Hamilton And Thomas Jefferson's Republican-Republican

In American history, few ideological disagreements have been as important as the divide between Alexander Hamilton 's Federalist Party and Thomas Jefferson 's Democrat-Republicans. Both parties were led by brilliant men whose political arguments would lay the foundation for debates on the nature of government in America that are ever present in our national discourse. Hamilton thought America should drive ahead into the future as an industrial and mercantile powerhouse, whereas Thomas Jefferson felt that America 's greatness lied in the "yeoman farmer" and the agrarian traditions he represented. Both sought the best path forward for the young American nation and both would have a chance to put their theories to the test in their capacities as ministers in the Washington Administration and later, in Jefferson 's case, as President. In order to fully understand and appreciate their arguments, a detailed analysis of the two men’s backgrounds which helped shape their ideas regarding national power and state governments, and the creation of a national banking system will be presented herein. Both men had different family backgrounds, but shared some similarities, Jefferson born into wealth and attended some of the finest schools in colonial America. His father was a planter and a slave holder he had “obtained more than one thousand acres along the Rivanna River, and he soon added four hundred more.” (pg. 3 Jefferson vs. Hamilton). Growing up in a slave owning household, Jefferson had slaves and continued to own them far into his adult life. However, he later sought to abolish slavery, but the irony or hypocrisy of the fact that he owned slaves till the day he died somehow escaped him. He claimed “slavery was contrary to natural law and existed only because of unenlightened monarchs or wicked legislatures.” (pg. 12 Jefferson vs Hamilton). He explained how slaves deserved their freedom and it needed to be given back to them because, they were born with rights therefore could not be owned. He believed “Once Slavery was abolished, as he thought it must be, slaves would regain their natural status as free people.” (pg. 12 Jefferson vs Hamilton). Many people agreed with Jefferson and favored the idea of abolishing slavery, but others disagreed and wanted to continue owning slaves and selling them. Jefferson was very fortunate as he was born into wealth and had an easy life because; he had everything given to him whereas Hamilton was not so fortunate. Hamilton, however, had to work for his education as he was not as fortunate as Jefferson. He was not born into a wealth family he actually did not have much support from his parents he was called “the bastard child of a Scotch pedlar” by John Adams (pg. 216 The American Promise). After his mother died Hamilton gained experience in business and finance. Hamilton was opposed to tyrant leaders and oppressive leaders he wanted the people to be free of that type of ruling. Hamilton was viewed as a man who “lusted for personal as well as national power” (Pg. 42 Jefferson vs. Hamilton). Hamilton was opposed to tyrant leaders yet he lusted for personal power as well as national power. Eventually all that power could have gone to his head …show more content…
However there were some things he was opposed to with the formation of the Constitution. One aspect Jefferson strongly disliked was abandoning the idea of rotation in the office especially of the president. Jefferson states “The first magistrate will always be re-elected if the constitution permits it…. He is then an officer for life.” (Pg. 23 Jefferson vs Hamilton). Jefferson did not like the idea that a president should be re-elected several times, he preferred that the President should be allowed to serve only for a few terms. Like he states, if permitted by the constitution that person is an officer for life, because he can continuously be re-elected. Although he wanted a government he feared the idea of the government having too much power seeing that it could lead to monarchy. “Jefferson expressed his fear that monarchial Federalists sought to use the new government as a stepping stone to monarchy.” (Pg. 78 Jefferson vs Hamilton). With this Jefferson made an alignment with the Democrat-Republican party with the wishes to ensure the people taxing rights as well as their natural