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This article is about the differences and similarities of a rotten banana and a squishy pillow pet two important figures in American History.For other uses, see Jefferson and Hamilton (disambiguation).

Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) and Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1757 – July 12, 1804), two very renowned figures in United States history (renowned because these two figures are usually stressed by teachers all the time), had extremely opposing thoughts on the running of the new, independent country. The differences were set clear with the founding of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, and the two opposing leaders advocated various interpretations of the Constitution (which makes extreme sense, in that there was a forming of two separate parties due to conflicting views, and so stating that is extremely superfluous). The biggest rivalry between the two was based on Hamilton's favoring of a strong central government with greater power to the interests of commerce and industry, and Jefferson's wish for a decentralized, agrarian society that favored/spoke for rural southern interests.

History

This headline is just here to introduce readers in reading about the histories of Tom and Alex. I didn't want to start without a proper introduction.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson
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Jefferson was born in 1743 to Peter Jefferson, a planter and slaveholder, and Jane Randolph (great men in American history usually have histories of originating from humble origins. Also, wives did not have jobs). In 1752, He began attending a school run by a Scottish Presbyterian minister (A simple Presbyterian minister was not enough; it had to be run by a Scottish man) When he was nine, Jefferson began studying Latin, Greek, and French (At age nine, most of us learn to write stories about purple elephants.) When he was sixteen, he entered the College of William and Mary. While there, he was influenced by the works of John Locke, Francis Bacon, and Isaac Newton. He graduated in 1762 with the highest honors. (Great men in American history also usually have histories of being very intelligent, college bred or not.) He then went on to marry, become a lawyer, represent the Virginia House of Burgesses, write A Summary View of the Rights of British America, be a delegate from Virginia to the Second Continental Congress (which is not the same as the First Continental Congress), and write the Declaration of Independence (that fact is also very superfluous, because everyone knows who wrote the Declaration). He would later go on to become the third president of the United States of America.

Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton
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Hamilton was born in 1757. He was not born in America, but in the West Indies (more specifically, the Leeward Islands). He was born out of wedlock to Rachel Buck and James A. Hamilton (some great men in American history were born out of wedlock, it isn't a big deal). History tells of the tragic love story between Rachel and James...and the unhappy marriage between Rachel and her first husband, but that is not the point of this article. And we go on. Because Rachel and James were not married, the Church of England denied Hamilton a membership and education in the church school (exclusive memberships had existed back then, as well). And so, Hamilton received individual tutoring and class in a private school led by a Jewish headmistress (perhaps the Scottish/Jewish difference made all the difference). Hamilton furthered his education with a family library, comprising of thirty something books (which was considered a library, I guess) that included Greek and Roman classics.

Various tragedies struck for young Hamilton. James left Rachel, finding out that her husband intended to divorce her, Rachel died, her husband kinda sorta divorced her, taking most of the possessions Rachel had, and Hamilton became an orphan (but there have been many other famous orphans, like orphan Annie. And orphan Heidi. And orphan Madeline, who also had appendicitis). However, a family friend bought back a couple books for Alexander.

Later, Hamilton entered King's College, now Columbia University. He wrote various political writings. He also wrote fourteen anonymous installments of "The Monitor" for Holt's New York Journal. He then went on to have a military career, serve as Washington's aide, write to Marquis de Lafayette, marry, be elected to the Congress of the Confederation, resign, become a lawyer, chosen to be the first delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and become the first United States Secretary of the Treasury.

Jefferson's Views

Jefferson advocated a decentralized, agrarian republic. He believed that a nation had the most strength in its agricultural roots. He recognized that a strong central government was effective in dealing with foreign relations, but he did not feel that America needed another overly powerful government telling them what to do. He feared tyranny and usually thought in terms freedom and liberation for America. of In various aspects, Jefferson probably measured and compared the difference between the British government, and the soon to be American government. It was in this way that Jefferson was for or against certain policies and ideas. He once said, "I am not a friend to a very energetic government."

When Hamilton introduced his bill to establish a national bank, Jefferson objected strongly. Favoring strict interpretation of the Constitution, Jefferson states that the Constitution reserved most of the powers to the states, and specifically mentioned all the powers that the federal government had. Therefore, there was no mention in the Constitution that allowed and empowered the government to set up a national bank. He said, “I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”

When Thomas Jefferson was elected as the third president of the United States, he did everything in his power to stop the Federalist government so that the central government had only enough power to unite the states. He believed that the centralized government should have limited power that was just enough to provide middle ground that would be favorable to everyone.

Hamilton's Views

Hamilton was a man of efficiency, order, and organization. When the House of Representatives called for a plan for the "adequate support of public credit," he supported principles that helped not only the economy, but an effective government.

Hamilton's number one view while he was Secretary of Treasury was that American needed credit for industrial development, commercial activity, and government operation. He knew that America was in need of complete faith and support of the people, because the new nation was shaky and touchy in regards to the forming of a government. America needed her people to have trust in her. There were many people who wanted to renounce the national debt, or pay a portion of it only. Hamilton, however, insisted on paying fully, and devised a plan in which the federal government took over the unpaid debts of the states that underwent during the Revolution.

He also sponsored a national mint and argued in favor of tariffs. Many were not supportive, due to the fact that the many Acts the British employed on the American colonies was a big reason for wanting a revolution. Hamilton argued with an 'infant industry' state of mind: that temporary protection of new firms can help the development of industries bigger and more competitive. Placing the credit on a firm foundation would encourage commerce and industry, and it would create a solid platform of businesses that was in favor of the national government.

This was a big deal, because Hamilton was always in favor of a strong central government that would be able to govern and "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper". He believed that a strong government was needed to provide order so business and industry would thrive. Hamilton envisioned America becoming an industrial power, and he fought to establish a base that would give America the opportunity to become such.

The Constitution authorized the national government to collect taxes, pay debts, and borrow money. Hamilton devised a plan for a Bank of the United States, because a national bank would be able to help in performing those functions much more efficiently. He thought that Congress had the power to create a bank. However, this right was only implied by the Constitution. Hamilton sought to use all the implied powers of the Constitutions, therefore favoring loose interpretation of the Constitution. George Washington accepted this view, as well as the Congress.

Hamilton believed that the government should be run by those who were educated and wealthy rather than by “the mob.” This was a reason why he supported merchants and businessmen, as opposed to farmers and the lesser common folk. This was a flaw, because America during that time was comprised mostly of farmers and rural people.

Differences

I suggest that you read "Jefferson's Views", "Hamilton's Views", and then compare them for yourself. If I do it, you're only going to end up with a sad little list.

1. Jefferson wanted an agrarian, decentralized government. He opposed the Bank. He wanted to aid the French in the Revolution.

2. Hamilton wanted an urban, centralized government. He thought of the idea for a Bank. He opposed revolutions in general.

3. This is probably not really a list.

Impact on American History

The creation of a National Bank by Hamilton led to modern industries that furthered the American economy. It also led to the transformation of America from an agrarian society to a huge industry of commerce and business. In modern times, things of that nature is important. Hamilton was thinking well beyond America's years. The impact of a national bank was probably worth more than any views about wanting smaller involvement in state affairs (Jefferson). Jefferson was in the right when he wanted a less powerful, less controlling government, but the fact that Hamilton's loose interpretations led to a more successful America cannot be questioned.

Because of Hamilton's vision of a powerful country governed by a strong government, we have the America that we have today. Because of Jefferson, we have the kind of government that is generally in sync with smaller state governments.

Personal Opinion

I personally think that both Jefferson and Hamilton were headed toward the right direction--that is, toward a strong, unified America--but in different ways. Because of that, I don't think I can pick one and not the other. Both were needed to balance the other out. If Hamilton had gotten his way 100%, farmers would have been lost forever. If Jefferson had his way, America might have become conservative for a long time. I think that Hamilton's decision to create a bank was admirable (right now, we might think it's a very big deal, but it was probably extremely gasp-worthy back then), and I think Hamilton was an extremely smart man who thought well beyond the years around him. The world lost a brilliant mind the day Burr decided to be stupid.

Jefferson wasn't a bad person, either. I think of him well too, because I understand that what he was trying to do was first, to develop a government that would not weigh down heavily on the people, and second, create an America that would not be like the British. In a way, both Hamilton and Jefferson were doing the same thing. To protect America, Hamilton wanted to make America strong. To do the same, Jefferson wanted the support and unification of the people, so that there would be inner strength between the government and its people, leading to a more efficient way of governing.

Sources

"Alexander Hamilton." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 May 2012. Web. 27 May 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Hamilton>.

"Thomas Jefferson." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 May 2012. Web. 27 May 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson>.

Kennedy, David, Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002.

Frank, Mitch. “Jefferson vs. Hamilton or Group Hug.” American Partisan. Dec. 28 2006. http://www.american-partisan.com/cols/frank/111799.htm

“Hamilton vs. Jefferson.” Dec. 28 2006. http://countrystudies.us/united-states/history-41.htm