The Early Republic
Conflict between Thomas
Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton
The Early Republic
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Chronology:
1776 – Declaration of Independence
1781 – Articles of Confederation
1789 – Federal Constitution
1791 – Bill of rights added to the
Constitution
Thomas Jefferson
• Author of the Declaration
of independence
• Secretary of State in
President Washington’s
Cabinet
• Believed in a loose
interpretation of the
constitution.
Alexander Hamilton
• Delegate to the
Constitutional Convention
• Was Secretary of the
Treasury in George
Washington’s Cabinet
• Favored a loose
interpretation of the
Constitution.
George Washington
• Became the fist chief
executive of the new
Republic.
• Put his stamp on the new
government by creating
the presidents Cabinet
• Sided with Hamilton more
than Jefferson.
Conflict
• Alexander Hamilton favored that the
national government assume the debts of
the states.
• To pay the debt he wanted an excise tax,
and tariffs and establish a national bank.
• He wanted the nations’ capital to be
established in Philadelphia or new York.
Conflict
• Thomas Jefferson wanted the states
to be responsible for their own debt.
• He and other southerners wanted the
capital to be located in the South.
• Thomas Jefferson opposed creation
of a national bank because there was
nothing about it in the Constitution.
Compromise
• The national capital would be located
in the South after moving from New
York to Philadelphia to a place to be
chosen at a future time.
• In return the Southern interests
would support the assumption of all
debts by the national government.
Break
• Alexander Hamilton pushes for the
creation of a National Bank, based on the
idea that a national bank is one way to
control commerce.
• When President Washington supports
Alexander Hamilton over the objects of
Thomas Jefferson, he resigns from the
Cabinet.
Alexander Hamilton’s
Views
• Democracy:
• The best course for the United States is
government by an aristocracy.
• The Federal Government:
• A powerful federal government is
necessary to ensure the peace and liberty
of the states.
Alexander Hamilton’s
Views
• The Economy:
• Government should encourage the growth
of cities, manufacturing, and shipping.
Tariffs are necessary to protect American
industry. The federal government should
assume state debts and establish a
national bank. A national debt, if not large
can aid the economy.
Alexander Hamilton’s
Views
• The President and Congress:
• The President should serve in office for
life. A lifetime senate should be recruited
only from men of property.
• The Law:
• Congress has the authority top enact any
legislation that is necessary and proper
for the security, growth, and well-being of
the United States.
Democratic –
Republicans Views
• Democracy:
• The common people will make just and wise
decisions.
• The Federal Government:
• A centralized federal government
infringes on the rights of the individual
and leads to abuse of power.
Democratic –
Republicans Views
• The economy:
• The United States would be better off to
remain an agricultural nation. Tariffs are
harmful to the farmer and the American
economy. States should pay their own
debts. A Bank of the United States is not
necessary. A national debt should not be
permitted.
Democratic –
Republicans Views
• The President and Congress:
• Everybody should have an equal
opportunity to serve in public office.
Elections should be held regularly and
often.
• The Law:
• Congress should have the power to do only
what the Constitution explicitly authorizes
it to do.
Origins of the Political
parties
• Alexander Hamilton organized the first
political parties as a way of promoting his
program for the new country.
• When Thomas Jefferson broke ranks with
the “federalists” individuals began to
create a party in opposition to the
Federalists and became known as the
Jeffersonian – Democrats.
Federalist Views
• Foreign policy:
• Supporting England in its war with France
during the Napoleonic Era.
• Foreign relations:
• Create a protective tariff that will
protect infant American industries from
domination by Great Britain but at the
same time be on friendly terms with Great
Britain.
Federalist Views
• Immigration:
• Restrict immigration because new
immigrants tended to support
Jeffersonian policies over
Federalists policies. The alien acts
also allowed foreigners to be
deported during wartime.
Federalist Views
• National Government:
• Support of a strong central government as
a way to protect the economic and political
interests of the new republic.
• Navy:
• Create a strong Navy to protect American
manufacturing and shipping interests.
Jeffersonian Democratic Views
• Foreign policy:
• Supporting France in its war with England
during the Napoleonic Era
• Foreign Relations:
• No special favors for manufactures rely on
American farmers as the key to American
prosperity and are on friendly terms with
France because of their help during the
Revolution.
Democratic –
Republicans Views
• Immigration policy:
• Welcome new immigrants because
they tended to have similar interests
to Jefferson especially after the
Federalist party pasted the Alien
acts that raised the residency
requirement to 14 years.
Democratic –
Republicans Views
• National Government:
• Favor a weak central government as a way to
protect political and economic interests of the
new republic.
• Navy:
• Create a minimal navy that would be used to
protect the American coastline. A strong navy
would not be needed because American interests
would be concentrated away from the coastal
areas.
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