A Definite Difference Of Opinions Essay Research

Paper

During the development of the young country of the United States of America, everyone had the

ability to include their opinions on any subject. But many times, only a few voices were actually listened

to. In this case Thomas Jefferson, a Republican, and Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist, were two of the

most prominent people in the production of this government. Although disagreement was very common

with these two, their contradictions definitely attributed to the development of America.

During the first term of presidency Alexander Hamilton had the advantage over Jefferson since he

was a great ally with the president George Washington. At this time Hamilton was chosen as the Secretary

of Treasury, which was an important job. Hamilton created financial plans that would supposedly clear the

debt of the United States. During one situation, Hamilton produced a deal with Jefferson and his

Republican friends that moved the nation?s capitol to Philadelphia. But that was one of the very few

agreements between the two.

One very popular debate occurred soon after the nation?s capitol moved. It is referred to as the debate

between a “broad” and a “strict” construction of the new Constitution. Hamilton came up with a bank

proposal that would produce banks around the country. Hamilton?s idea was to keep the current of

commerce flowing, and to keep business leaders happy by building a bank capitol. Thomas Jefferson was

in great opposition to this idea. He and his friends explained that they did not want a country fill with

cities, mills, mines, and factories; they would much rather see the farming production prosper in this

country. Jefferson and his colleagues had bent their ideas with the national and state debts, but in no way

would they receive the bank proposal lying down. They complained that the Constitution did not give

Congress power to build banks; therefore, they should not be permitted. Hamilton, on the hand, explained

that the Constitution stated that the government would pr!

oduce a proper way of managing money, which the bank was for. George Washington believed arguments

by both Hamilton and Jefferson, but he decided to sign the bill. As a result, economy was greatly affected

in America?s development.

Another great disagreement between the two was the whole idea of foreign affairs. The Federalists, led by

Hamilton, supposedly believed that they should have never broken from the great empire. In times of war

they repeatedly showed favoritism to Great Britain, the supposed enemies. The Republicans, led by

Jefferson and Madison, favored the country of France and the common citizens of the country. They

influenced the common people of France to overthrow the French Nobility.

A third difference of opinion centered around life styles of the American people. Basically Jefferson

despised the idea of a New York City kind of country, he believed it would bring crime and other

consequences. Jefferson wanted a more of a Wisconsin type of country, where everyone owned their own

land and had their own type of freedom. Hamilton and the Federalists had totally different beliefs, wanting

cities and factories in the country.

After the election of John Adams in 1796 differences between the ideas of Jefferson and Hamilton grew

larger. The acts produced by the Federalist party deeply troubled Jefferson and the Republicans. Although

a little harsh, the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798, produced a way for the Federalists to revolt against

Republican opposition and to increase power for themselves. These acts did not permit anyone to criticize

the government at all, through writing, or any other way. It also extended the time to become an American

citizen, since the Federalists believed that most of the foreigners would become Republicans. This deeply

troubled Jefferson and Madison, but they had to find a way to fight back for the Republicans. Jefferson

reacted with the production of the Kentucky Resolutions, which permitted states the power to judge a bill

or law, unconstitutional, or invalid. This allowed the states to control the laws that would circulate their

area. This, and other reactions !

by the Republicans contradicted the acts produced by the Federalists and almost equalized power on both

sides.

As you can see, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson argued about many subjects to argue about.

Since they were from different parties of government, new arguments would arise all the time. Only when

Jefferson became president did these continual arguments cease. During the election, Hamilton finally

admitted that Jefferson was “not such a bad guy after all”. There might have been many differences of

opinion, but there was certainly a respect for each other.