hamilton-jefferson

who is hamilton?

- Youthful financier

- Born in humble circumstances

- Secretary of the Treasury

-Federalist 

who is jefferson?

- Virginia planter-aristocrat

- Part of the Democratic-Republican party

- Prone to exaggeration

Hamilton: Humanity is split into two different groups

He believes that the two groups consist of the “rich and well-born” and “the mass of the people.”

Jefferson: Humanity is split into two different groups

He believes that there is not a clear divide of people between the masses who are “born with saddles on their backs” and “a favored few booted and spurred.” He believes Hamilton exaggerates this difference.

Hamilton: How the people should have a say in the government.

He believes that it should be the rich that have a bigger say in the government, as they will be there to check the democracy of the government. Because they wouldn’t gain anything from a change in government, they would keep the government from changing.

Jefferson: How the people should have a say in the government.

He believes that the people as a whole, not just the rich, should have more of a say in the government. No one man should be elevated over another in the government purely because of class or wealth.

Hamilton: What directs/governs the masses?

He believes that the masses are led by passion and self-interest

Jefferson: What directs/governs the masses?

He believes that people are naturally good, and says that he has “such reliance on the good sense of the body of the people and the honesty of their leaders.”

Hamilton: Because of this, can the masses be trusted with power in the government?

He is extremely distrusting of mankind, going as far as to say that “The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right.” He thinks that their habit of following passion instead of reason would ruin a government.

Jefferson: Because of this, can the masses be trusted with power in the government?

He thinks that because of the good sense and honesty of the people, they can be trusted with power in the government.

Hamilton: Would a mostly democratic government work for the US?

He thinks that a democracy would fail due to the changing whims of the masses, so some people should be fixed in the government instead of all the power going to the people

Jefferson: Would a mostly democratic government work for the US?

He believes that fixed rulers would ruin the government and the masses should be given more power.

Hamilton: Would a republic work as a form of government for the US?

He believes that having a republic will allow great success, however he finds that it can also become a problem – the system is not perfect.

Jefferson: Would a republic work as a form of government for the US?

He wants the government to be pure and perpetual and believes that republican exercises should be pushed to the max to ensure these things.

Hamilton: Strong central government

He believes that a strong central government is the best way to be a united country because it will uphold liberty and justice. This also helps prevent factions.

Jefferson: Strong central government

He thinks that a strong central government is always oppressive and is at the expense of the people because it “will invite the public agents to corruption, plunder and waste”

Hamilton: Effects of a central government

He believes that state governments directly threaten the unity of a central government.

Jefferson: Effects of a central government

He believes a single government over the whole country is prone to quickly become corrupt

Hamilton: When are state governments useful?

State governments are useful only when they are the same size and are limited in ways that preserve the national government.

Jefferson: When are state governments useful?

State governments are needed because the country is too large to be run by only one government.

Hamilton: How should the central government look?

He believes that the national government should be strong and be guarded from things that would weaken it.

Jefferson: How should the central government look?

He believes that the general government should be reduced to handling foreign affairs only and should be simple  - “a few plain duties to be performed by a few servants”.

Hamilton: Influence of state governments

He believes that the influence of the state governments counteracts the influence of the federal government, and adds that he can already see this influence preventing the direction of the national government.

Jefferson: Influence of state governments

The influence of state governments is necessary to prevent corruption in the federal government

Hamilton: Debt

He considers the national debt a national blessing.

Jefferson: Debt

He wishes the debt would be paid off, as he sees the debt as something which can be used by politicians to impact political decisions.

Hamilton: View on articles of confederation and the British Government

He believed the British government was an almighty power and the best model of a sound government and that the articles of confederation are radically vicious and it must be entirely changed in its leading features and characters.

Jefferson: View on articles of confederation and the British Government

He believed the British government was a corrupt and destroyed nation and the most principal government on the planet yet the articles of confederation is the best existing government to exist at this point although more articles in the constitution could make it even better.

Hamilton: Rebellion

He viewed rebellion as more of a threat to the government. When a rebellion occurs, he states that it is important for the government to inspire respect by displaying its strength

Jefferson: Rebellion

He believed that political based rebellions are sometimes necessary, going as far as to say they are good to have for the “sound health” of the government

Hamilton: Government

He thinks that the British government is perfect for them to model their government after.

Jefferson: Government

He says that the British government is corrupt and it was what destroyed the nation in the first place. He thinks this is the most corrupt government on earth

Hamilton: Religion

Claimed Jefferson was an atheist

Jefferson: Religion

Claimed he was Catholic and that Hamilton was lying

Hamilton: Views on George Washington

He believed that George Washington is a very honest person and contributed greatly to help keep America safe, but he also does not have a good temper. Hamilton states how he is greatly influenced/inspired by Washington. 

Jefferson: Views on George Washington

He believed that Washington is a very pure, honest person who is true to himself and what he believes in. Agrees that he doesn't have a good temper and gets irritated easily. 

Hamilton: Views of Each OtherViews of Each Other

Believes he is a decent man whose ideas are paradoxical in nature, and imaginatory.

Jefferson: Views of Each Other

Views him as a honest, amiable man who is corrupted by the ideas which the British government was set up on, which greatly impact his beliefs on what the American government should look like.

Hamilton: Armies

He thinks that a standing Army would be dangerous to liberty.

Jefferson: Armies

He says that a naval force can not endanger liberty, neither can some bloodshed. A land force would do both.

Hamilton: Views on presidency term length

He believed that having a president term being lifelong will ensure the safety of the people's liberties

Jefferson: Views on presidency term length

He believed we needed elections but the former president. may be reelected forever if we choose

Hamilton: Where is the argument supported in the Constitution?

He based his case of the matter on Article 1 Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution 

“Congress is empowered "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers.”

Jefferson: Where is the argument supported in the Constitution?

He based his argument on the 10th amendment of the Bill of Rights 

“all powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states, or to the people”

Hamilton: Convenience

The bank is not for convenience, but to help the government perform its job

Jefferson: Convenience

If the government allows everything convenient, abolishing the state governments and making one government can also be seen as convenient

Hamilton: The Power the Constitution holds

If an issue is related to the power of the federal government and is not specifically prohibited in the Constitution it is within the Federal government's scope of power

Jefferson: The Power the Constitution holds

All powers not mentioned specifically in the Constitution or powers that are not prohibited are reserved for the states and the people (The Constitution grants the federal government power)

Hamilton: What “necessary” means

HeH believes necessary is something that within a situation is no more than is needed which he also believes contrasts from the Constitution. He interprets it as something that will advance the public good.

Jefferson: What “necessary” means

He thinks necessary is something that needs to be present in order for laws and the division of powers to be carried out.

Hamilton: If banks are “necessary”

There are many reasons to establish a bank which are necessary. A bank collects taxes, regulates trade, helps to provide common defense, has been made to satisfy the President, and much more which makes a bank necessary for the people.

Jefferson: If banks are “necessary”

The Constitution only allows things which are “necessary”, and a bank is not one of them. He believes banks are purely “convenient”.

Hamilton: Where is the “necessary” argument supported in the Constitution?

He based his case of the matter on Article 1 Section VIII of the U.S. Constitution 

“Congress is empowered "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers.”

Jefferson: Where is the argument supported in the Constitution?

He based his argument on the 10th Amendment of the Bill of Rights 

“all powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states, or to the people”

Hamilton: Does the US have the power to establish a federal bank?

Developing a federal bank is not prohibited in the Constitution and does not violate state rights so it is therefore within the scope of government power

Jefferson: Does the US have the power to establish a federal bank?

The Constitution does not grant the federal government the power to create a federal bank