Simone Lawson
Alexander Hamilton was a key figure in the creation and ratification of the US Constitution. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, he advocated for a strong central government, with the power to tax and a national bank. Hamilton's ideas were not universally accepted, and he was one of three New York delegates, the only one to sign the Constitution. He played a crucial role in the Constitution's ratification, writing over half of the 85 essays known as the Federalist Papers, published under the pseudonym Publius. Hamilton's persuasive abilities and logical arguments were critical in achieving ratification, particularly in the New York convention. While he did not live to see the full impact of his contributions, Hamilton's influence on the US Constitution and its interpretation endures, solidifying his status as a Founding Father.
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What You'll Learn
Alexander Hamilton's preference for a constitutional monarchy
Alexander Hamilton was just 30 years old when he was chosen as one of New York's delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The convention's goal was to revise the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates abandoned the Articles entirely and instead created the United States Constitution. Hamilton was a key figure in the Constitution's ratification and subsequent interpretation, leading the collaboration with James Madison and John Jay on the Federalist Papers.
Hamilton's plan, which was not adopted, called for a strong centralized government. He proposed a "system composed of three branches, an Assembly, a Senate, and a Governor". Hamilton's plan allowed a president to serve indefinitely with good behaviour, with powers to veto any law; execute laws; grant pardons; direct war once authorized by the Senate; appoint chief officers of Finance, War, and Foreign Affairs; and appoint all other officers, pardon treason, and make treaties with the approbation of the Senate. Many saw this as a form of monarchy and denounced Hamilton.
Hamilton's preference for a constitutional monarchy was influenced by his interpretation of executive power. He believed that the first sentence of Article II of the Constitution – "The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America" – was a general grant of executive power, and that the list of powers in the next section were examples rather than limitations. He supported this claim by pointing to the different method of granting powers to the legislative branch, as stated in Article I of the Constitution: "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." Hamilton argued that this difference implied that the legislative branch was limited to the powers granted to it by the Constitution, while the executive branch had more flexibility.
Hamilton also praised the British form of government and defended his desire for a president for life by pointing to the success of the hereditary monarch in Britain. He argued that the monarch's personal interest and self-preservation in the country coincide, and that influence by foreign powers is unlikely. In addition, Hamilton attributed the growing disuse of the absolute veto in Great Britain to the monarch's immense influence over Parliament, which allowed them to avoid blatantly exerting power and losing public favour.
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His belief in a strong central government
Alexander Hamilton believed in a strong central government, a conviction that was influenced by his experience as an aide-de-camp during the Revolutionary War. During the war, he witnessed the difficulties General Washington faced in securing funding from Congress, which highlighted the ineffectiveness of a weak government. Hamilton understood the need for a more powerful federal government capable of taxation, possessing a national bank, and holding strong executive powers.
Hamilton's support for a robust central government was evident in his proposal for a chief executive or national governor, who would appoint state governors. This leader, akin to an “elective monarch," would serve indefinitely, without a set elective term, during "good behaviour." Hamilton's plan also included senators serving during "good behaviour," which proved controversial as many saw it as a step towards monarchy. Despite the opposition, Hamilton stood firm in his belief that a strong executive was essential for good governance.
Hamilton's advocacy for a strong central government extended beyond his proposals for the executive branch. He also played a crucial role in shaping the judicial branch by advocating for lifetime appointments for federal judges, serving during "good behaviour." This ensured stability and allowed judges to act independently, free from political influence. Hamilton's influence on the judiciary contributed to the unique system of checks and balances that characterise the US government today.
Hamilton's belief in a strong central government was also reflected in his economic policies. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he devised plans to address the national debt, secure federal credit, encourage manufacturing expansion, and establish a national bank. Hamilton recognised the importance of a robust economy in supporting his vision of a powerful central government. He understood that economic stability would provide the government with the resources necessary to govern effectively and promote national unity.
Hamilton's conviction in a strong central government was so strong that he became the chief advocate for the approval of the Constitution by the states. He wrote a series of essays, known as the Federalist Papers, in collaboration with James Madison and John Jay, to promote the ratification of the Constitution. Hamilton's writing skills and persuasive abilities were instrumental in garnering support for the Constitution and shaping public opinion in favour of a stronger central government.
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His advocacy for a federal government with more power
Alexander Hamilton was a strong advocate for a federal government with more power. He believed that a weak central government would be unable to effectively manage the country. Hamilton's views were shaped by his experience as an aide-de-camp during the Revolutionary War, where he witnessed the difficulties General Washington faced in securing funding from Congress to support the war effort.
Hamilton's preference for a powerful central government was evident in his 11-point plan, which he presented in a six-hour speech at the Constitutional Convention on June 18, 1787. He called for a strong centralized government with the power to tax, have a national bank, and a strong executive. Hamilton proposed that the president and senators should serve for life, or "during good behaviour", a suggestion that angered many delegates who saw it as a step towards monarchy.
Hamilton's plan was not adopted, but he played a crucial role in the creation and interpretation of the Constitution. He wrote over half of the 85 essays known as the Federalist Papers, published under the pseudonym "Publius", which made a compelling case for the ratification of the Constitution. Hamilton's writing and oratory skills were instrumental in achieving ratification, particularly in states like New York and Virginia, where opposition was strong.
Hamilton also contributed significantly to the economic policies of the federal government as the first Secretary of the Treasury. He devised plans to fund the national debt, secure federal credit, encourage manufacturing, and organize the federal bank. Hamilton's economic vision included the federal government assuming the Revolutionary War debts of the states, arguing that allowing individual states to manage their debts was inefficient.
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The need for a government that could unite the states
In 1787, the democratic government that emerged from the American Revolution was just eight years old and already threatened to crumble. The Articles of Confederation, which had organized the 13 states into a loose union, proved inadequate for governing that union effectively. The states' competing interests needed to be weighed with justice, and the nation's finances stabilized.
Alexander Hamilton, who served as one of three New York delegates to the Constitutional Convention, had spent years pondering the issues the delegates would confront. Hamilton was no fan of the Articles of Confederation, as he had seen Washington's struggles with Congress to fund the war and learned the difficulties of managing the country with a weak government. He knew that a federal government with more power was needed—one that could tax, have a bank, and have a strong executive.
Hamilton outlined some of his ideas to the Convention on June 18, 1787, in an 11-point plan calling for a strong centralized government. He spoke for six hours straight, angering many delegates with his controversial proposal for the president and senators to serve for life "during good behaviour." Many saw this as a form of monarchy and denounced him. However, Hamilton introduced his radical plan to make the Virginia Plan more acceptable to the delegates.
Hamilton's plan was not adopted, but he played a role in creating the Constitution. He was instrumental in its ratification and interpretation when 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. Hamilton wrote more than half of these essays, providing a rational, learned, and eloquent defense of the Constitution.
Hamilton's performance at the New York ratifying convention in Albany was also critical. He faced a seemingly immovable group of Anti-Federalists and, with his supreme logic and persuasive abilities, made the case for ratification day after day, hour after hour.
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His role in interpreting the Constitution
Alexander Hamilton played a crucial role in interpreting the Constitution through his writings and advocacy. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Hamilton presented his ideas for a strong central government. He proposed a plan that included a chief executive or national governor, who would appoint state governors, and senators who would serve "during good behaviour". While some of his ideas were rejected, Hamilton still advocated for the resulting Constitution and worked tirelessly for its ratification.
Hamilton's most notable contribution to interpreting the Constitution was through his writings. He collaborated with James Madison and John Jay on a collection of 85 articles and essays known as the Federalist Papers, published under the pseudonym "Publius". Hamilton wrote more than half of these essays, in which he defended the strong central government outlined in the Constitution and urged its adoption. The Federalist Papers were published in New York newspapers and played a critical role in achieving ratification of the Constitution, not just in New York but across the nation.
Hamilton's writings also addressed specific topics related to the Constitution, such as the "Dangers from Dissensions Between the States," "Defects of the Present Confederation," and the "General Power of Taxation." In his essays, he argued for the federal government to assume the Revolutionary War debts of the states, establish a steady revenue stream through taxation, and create a national bank. Hamilton's experience as an attorney and his service as the first Secretary of the Treasury under President Washington further influenced his interpretation of the Constitution, particularly in shaping economic policies and using the "implied powers" of the document.
Hamilton's performance at the New York ratifying convention in Albany in 1788 was another key moment in his role as an interpreter of the Constitution. He faced strong opposition from Anti-Federalists but used his persuasive abilities and logic to make a compelling case for ratification. Hamilton's eloquence and expertise helped to unite the states and ensure the survival of the new government and the Constitution it upheld.
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Frequently asked questions
Alexander Hamilton wanted to present the Constitution loosely because he believed that a strong central government was necessary to unite the 13 states. He had seen Washington's struggles with Congress to fund the war and learned the difficulties of managing the country with a weak government.
Alexander Hamilton, along with John Jay and James Madison, wrote a series of 85 essays known as the Federalist Papers. These were published in New York State newspapers to persuade readers to support the ratification of the Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton outlined his ideas for government in a six-hour speech on 18 June 1787. He called for senators who would serve "during good behaviour" and a chief executive, or national governor, who would appoint state governors.
