Jefferson And Hamilton Influence Of Political Parties

In the early 19th century the two dominant political parties, the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists, had many opposing beliefs. With respect to the federal constitution, the Jeffersonian Republicans were viewed as strict constructionists who were opposed to the broad and lenient constructionism of the Federalists. The Jeffersonian Republicans were supported by commoners and the middle class. In general, they favored limiting the power of the national government, they believed that farming should serve as the backbone of the economy based on agriculture, and they supported the cause of the French Revolution. Contrary to such beliefs were those of the Federalists who were supported by the wealthy and aristocrats. Federalists, who

During the early 1800s, two parties were developed having different perspectives on government and the Constitution. The Democratic Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, were always characterized by following the strict construction of the constitution. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, were characterized by following the broad construction of the constitution. The presidencies of Jefferson and Madison proved this characterization to be somewhat accurate. Although the Democratic Republicans and the Federalists did support their own ideas and views, they also did many things that contradicted them.

George Washington was unanimously elected as the first President of United States of America in 1789 and again in 1792. No political parties existed in America during that time. Founding Fathers including George Washington believed that political parties would be harmful for the young America. They envisioned the politics in the young nation to be cooperative and not competitive. By the end of the eighteenth century, however, political parties had become a reality in the form of Federalist Party and Democratic - Republican Party. The two parties differed in a variety of ways but they especially differed in terms of their foreign relations with European powers. Federalists led by Alexander Hamilton wanted to create a stable economy built on trade favoring the wealthy business owners. Democratic Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson, on the other hand, had the interests of poor farmers, and immigrants in their mind. Federalists supported the British against the radical French whereas Republicans preferred to maintain friendly relations with the democratic French against the British. Earlier, in 1794, President George Washington had angered the French leaders when he signed the Jay Treaty with Great Britain in 1794 settling the differences between the two countries. John Adams, a federalist, was elected the second President of the United States of America in 1797. After taking over as President, he sent American envoys to

First, when the political parties emerged in the 1790’s it was evident that their ideologies were vastly different. The Republican Party wanted a representative form of government that functioned “in the interest of the people.” This party, led by Thomas Jefferson, supported a limited central government, with individual states retaining a majority of the control. Jefferson’s vision was for a nation of farmers, and farmers do not need big government to survive. They feared a large central government would take away the rights of the people. On the other hand, the Federalist Party, led by Alexander Hamilton, supported a strong central government that would pursue policies in support of economic growth, which in turn would provide the freedom the people wanted. Hamilton’s followers also supported a diverse economy.1 It is important to note here however, that both parties knew they would have to become national parties in order to win any elections and both parties had followers in the north and in the south. There was no sectional divide in the parties.

When Washington retired from his presidency, non-stop issues arose between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson about government policies, economic policies, and foreign policies that led to the creation of political parties. The First Party System started in 1790s and ended in early 1800s. The Federalist Party led by Hamilton and John Adams and the Democratic-Republican Party led by Jefferson and James Madison. Hamilton and Jefferson had different political views, but both wanted what was best for the country.

Conflicting views and contrasting ideologies have always existed throughout the history of United States politics. Alexander Hamilton, who led Federalist Party, believed that a powerful central government was necessary while Thomas Jefferson, who led the Jeffersonian Republican Party, favored an agrarian nation with most of the power left to the states. Although Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were similar in that they both harbored good intentions and tried to keep the best interests in mind for the future of the United States, their policies were drastically different. Without doubt, both of their contrasting ideas served a vital role in forming the government.

Throughout the period of 1790 to 1825, Thomas Jefferson and his party of Republicans often had differing ideals than Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists. During this time, Federalists had a desire for a strong central government and trade rights. Jefferson and his Republicans, on the other hand, were strong advocates for state power against the tyrannical central government. As a prominent politician, Jefferson spoke out against Hamilton ideas such as a national bank; when Jefferson became president, however, some of his views change and seem to reflect those of Hamilton.

April 13, 1743 Albemarle County in the English colony of Virginia was the start of an American historical giant. Thomas Jefferson was born in affluence to his father, Peter Jefferson, a rising young planter in the Virginia colony, and his mother, Jane Randolph, who held a high status within the colony as well. Due to his father’s prosperity Jefferson was afforded the absolute best in the ways of education, starting with private tutors at the age of five, then moving on to learn how to read Greek and Roman in there original text and finally taking his studies to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg which he would say is “…what probably fixed the destinies of my life…” pg 5. On the other side of the spectrum, a few years later

Thomas Jefferson was one of the main advocates for the Democratic-Republican party. He believed in representing the people, especially those who were farmers and any American who was not wealthy. Jefferson was a constant opposer for any attempts at implementing policies that were against his political views. These mainly revolved around the idea of straying from the Constitution; not having his view of being a strict constructionist. Madison as well came into presidency claiming that he supported the anti-federalist views.

The Jeffersonian Democracy, name after Thomas Jefferson, favored a small, limited federal government that did not interfere with the individual state rulings. Thomas Jefferson also opposed the idea of a national bank. He preferred to limit the control of government as much as possible. This group is also known as the Democratic-Republican party. Jefferson did not like to idea of an industrialized economic plan. He strongly believed in the expansion of agriculture. Therefore, he was not against slavery. The majority of Jefferson's supporters were land owners and farmers because they approved of his idea to expand agriculture. Due to the fact the Federalist were not on common ground, the election of Thomas Jefferson by the Democratic-Republic

Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were completely at odds in their vision on how America was to develop. Hamilton wanted to concentrate power in a centralized federal government with limited access and Jefferson wished to diffuse it among all the eligible freemen of the time. Alexander Hamilton feared anarchy and distrusted popular rule while Jefferson feared tyranny and thought in terms of liberty and freedom.

     Jefferson, as a Republican, believed in a society that distrusted the rich and that was run by farmer-citizens. He was a strong supported of not the upper class but, "the people". A defender of human liberty, Jefferson believed in a minimum of government and favored power at the local level. Jefferson also believed that if people were given the opportunity, they would be decent and reasonable. Jeffersons supporting party disagreed with many of the things that Hamilton and the Federalists proposed and passed as laws, including the idea of the national bank. Madison, in fact, argued on behalf of the Republicans that the federal government had no righ to establish a federal bank because it was not among the enumerated powers of Congress found in the Constitution. The Republicans also ignored the Naturalization Act, nor

The dispute between Federalists and Republicans, in fact, was a dispute about the future development of the United States, finding a model for the new republic. Federalists argued for rights and freedoms, but not for everyone, defending the British model of the state, while the supporters of Jefferson were advocated for a democratic development of America. Tomas Jefferson wanted to create a republic of free planters-farmers. As for Hamilton - he saw the future of the United States in trade and industry of the country, with large cities, developed production, banks, a strong financial system. A separate issue was with the creation of the Bank of the United States.

Though both Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson served as members of President Washington’s cabinet, the two held very different views on the newly founded U.S. government, interpretation of its constitution, and the role of the “masses” in that government. These conflicting views would develop in two political parties, the Federalists led by Hamilton and the Democratic-Republicans led by Jefferson. Although both political parties presented enticing aspects, Hamilton’s views were much more reasonable and fruitful when compared Jefferson’s views; idealistic and too strict in reference to the constitution.

Jefferson and supporter James Madison wanted international independence which would evolve through its own expansion in the western part of North America. This naturally meant good relations with France, since they were Britain’s biggest enemy. Hamilton also believed in a Bank of the United States but was opposed by Jefferson and Madison. The faction sharing the beliefs of Jefferson and Madison became known as the Democratic Republican Party.