Simone Lawson
The implementation of the federal constitution was a highly contested process, with Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, advisors to President George Washington, representing opposing views. Hamilton, a leading voice of the Federalists, advocated for a strong central government and a national bank, while Jefferson, leading the Anti-Federalists, argued for states' rights and individual freedoms, fearing that Hamilton's policies would lead to a monarchy. Despite their differences, they worked together to pass the Constitution, with Hamilton's economic policies saving the nation from financial ruin. However, their rivalry persisted, shaping the early national political landscape and contributing to the formation of political parties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hamilton's economic plan | Establishing a national bank, consolidating states' debts under the federal government, and enacting protective tariffs and government subsidies to encourage American manufacturing |
| Hamilton's beliefs | Federal government should be strong and wield considerable power, distrusted popular will |
| Jefferson's beliefs | Placed trust in people as governors, feared Hamilton's policies would move away from the Constitution's republican structure, believed in individual freedoms and the rights of states |
| Political factions | Federalists (led by Hamilton), Anti-Federalists (led by Jefferson), Republicans (led by Jefferson) |
| Hamilton's proposals | Assumption of state debts, moving the capital to the Potomac River, creating a federal bank |
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What You'll Learn
Hamilton's economic plan
Hamilton's vision for the economic foundation of the United States included three main programs: the federal assumption of state debts, the creation of a Bank of the United States, and support for the new nation's emerging industries. Hamilton proposed that the federal government should pay off all Confederation (state) debts at full value. This would enhance the legitimacy of the new central government. To raise money to pay off the debts, Hamilton suggested issuing new securities bonds. Investors who purchased these public securities stood to make enormous profits.
Hamilton also proposed the creation of a federal bank, the Bank of the United States, modelled on the Bank of England. This central bank would help stabilize the new nation's economy through a more reliable paper currency. Hamilton's plan also included high tariffs designed to protect American industry from foreign competition, government bounties and subsidies, and internal improvements in transportation. He also proposed a tax on distilled spirits, which was intended to boost revenue and was philosophically equated to a sin tax.
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Jefferson's opposition
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton had differing views on the implementation of the federal constitution. Jefferson believed that America's success lay in its agrarian tradition, while Hamilton's economic plan hinged on the promotion of manufactures and commerce. Jefferson's vision was of a society of property-owning farmers who controlled their destiny, while Hamilton's economic plan included establishing a national bank like that in England to maintain public credit, consolidating the states' debts under the federal government, and enacting protective tariffs and government subsidies to encourage American manufactures.
Jefferson, a Francophile, feared that the Bank of the United States represented too much English influence, and he argued that the Constitution did not give Congress the power to establish a bank. He also believed that centralized government was simply European-style tyranny waiting to happen again. He placed his trust in the people as governors, while Hamilton distrusted popular will and believed that the federal government should wield considerable power.
Jefferson and his political allies opposed Hamilton's reforms. In May 1792, Jefferson expressed his fear to Washington about Hamilton's policies, calling Hamilton's allies in Congress a "corrupt squadron". He expressed the fear that Hamilton wished to move away from the Constitution's republican structure, toward a monarchy modelled after the English constitution. He also warned that Hamilton secretly schemed to restore monarchy in America.
Jefferson responded by organizing the Republican Party and hiring Philip Freneau, a gifted writer, to run an opposition newspaper, the National Gazette. Despite President Washington's efforts at unity, political differences proved too deep to promote consensus. The Federalists dominated the national government through the end of the 18th century, and the Republican Party emerged as organized opposition to Federalist policies.
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Washington's support for Hamilton
Despite their differences, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton contributed greatly to the establishment of the United States, the formation of the government, and the first presidential administration. Washington recognised Hamilton's talents and made use of them. Hamilton, a skilled writer, was a brilliant administrator who could help bring order to an unruly army and, later, an entire government. Washington once told Congress that he needed "persons who can think for me, as well as execute orders", and Hamilton could seamlessly interpret Washington's commands, put them into words, and fill in the necessary blanks.
Hamilton was a part of Washington's military family, and they shared the hardships of war. The inefficiency of Congress in administering the war led both men to later support a strong central government. In 1781, Hamilton and Washington had a misunderstanding that led to Hamilton's resignation as aide-de-camp. Washington went to see Hamilton in person, but Hamilton unintentionally kept Washington waiting for several minutes, leading to an angry response from Washington. However, in 1789, after Washington was elected the nation's first president, he appointed Hamilton as the first secretary of the treasury.
Hamilton's economic plan for the nation included establishing a national bank like that in England to maintain public credit; consolidating the states' debts under the federal government; and enacting protective tariffs and government subsidies to encourage American manufacturers. All of these measures strengthened the federal government's power at the expense of the states. Despite their differences, Washington made Hamilton one of his closest advisors, along with Thomas Jefferson, who would oppose Hamilton's policies. Washington supported making Hamilton Inspector General of the United States Army, and when Washington died in 1799, Hamilton was briefly the senior-ranking officer of the army.
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The Compromise of 1790
The southern states, particularly Virginia, favoured a capital on the Potomac River, while the North was divided between Baltimore and Wilmington. Hamilton's proposal to assume state debts had already failed twice in Congress, with Madison as his chief opponent. However, Virginians also had economic interests, as they had already paid off many of their debts and wanted to ensure they benefited from any agreement.
On June 20, 1790, Jefferson hosted a dinner, bringing together Hamilton and Madison to negotiate a solution. In what became known as the "Dinner Table Bargain," Madison agreed to remain passive on the assumption of state debts and to convince other southern members to support it. In exchange, Hamilton agreed to garner northern support for the Potomac River capital location and a reduction in Virginia's tax burden by $1.5 million.
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The formation of political parties
The US Constitution was sent to Congress in 1787, and from then until the end of the century, America was embroiled in heated arguments over how the government would work and what powers it could exercise. Political factions or parties soon developed as groups argued about the direction of the country.
Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the treasury, became a leading voice of the Federalists, who believed that the federal government needed to be strong. Hamilton's economic plan for the nation included establishing a national bank like that in England to maintain public credit, consolidating the states' debts under the federal government, and enacting protective tariffs and government subsidies to encourage American manufacturing. All of these measures strengthened the federal government’s power at the expense of the states.
On the other side, Thomas Jefferson, the first secretary of state, and a Republican, argued that too much power in the hands of the federal government would lead to tyranny. He placed his trust in the people as governors and believed that the Constitution did not give Congress the power to establish a bank. He feared that the Bank of the United States represented too much English influence. Jefferson and his political allies opposed Hamilton's reforms.
The Federalists coalesced around the commercial sector of the country, while their opponents, the Anti-Federalists, drew their strength from those favoring an agrarian society. The Federalists dominated the national government through the end of the 18th century. Despite President Washington’s efforts at unity, political differences proved to be too deep to promote consensus. The Republican Party emerged as organized opposition to Federalist policies. By 1795, the Federalists had become a party in name as well, and after John Adams, their candidate, was elected president in 1796, the Federalists began to decline.
The early national political landscape was thus shaped by the opposing views of Hamilton and Jefferson, who were both advisors to President Washington.
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Frequently asked questions
Hamilton was a key figure in the ratification of the Constitution. He led the collaboration with James Madison and John Jay on the Federalist Papers, a collection of 85 articles and essays written under the pseudonym "Publius" to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. He also wrote more than two-thirds of the essays in "The Federalist", which are considered classics of political literature today.
Jefferson was serving as ambassador to France when the Federal Constitution was written in 1787. However, he influenced the development of the federal government through his correspondence with James Madison. He also played a major role in the planning, design, and construction of a national capital and the federal district. As president, Jefferson sought to establish a federal government of limited powers by cutting the federal budget and taxes while reducing the national debt.
Washington was unanimously elected as the president of the Constitutional Convention. His commanding presence and leadership united the delegates and the new nation behind the idea of a new federal government. He worked to forge consensus and created an atmosphere that allowed convention members to reach the compromises necessary to create a bold, new government.
Hamilton, Jefferson, and Washington all recognized the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but lacked enforcement powers and the ability to regulate commerce or print money. They all believed in the need for a stronger federal government, although Jefferson and Hamilton disagreed on the extent of its powers.
