Jefferson vs. Hamilton (ch. 1)
Reading: Noble Cunningham, Jefferson vs. Hamilton, 1-27
In the opening chapter of this book, Cunningham blends his own commentary with excerpts from Hamilton and Jefferson in order to explore the fundamental principles of these two men. While Jefferson and Hamilton certainly shared many values, they parted ways on a number of key issues. Perhaps most significantly, they held different beliefs about the ability of “the people” to make good political decisions.
We have enough evidence before us to ask and answer a few important questions:
- How might Jefferson’s and Hamilton’s different backgrounds and experiences have shaped their political points of view?
- Judging from these sources, what were Jefferson’s main political principles? What were Hamilton’s?
- What major differences of opinion separated Jefferson and Hamilton, even before their scuffle over national economic issues?
- Whose reflections on the national government turned out to be more prescient?
February 8th, 2007 at 12:34 am
Even though Hamilton had to work his way up a little more than Jefferson, both men received an adequate education. Both became to be known as powerful influences among their constituents. Jefferson trusted the people much more than Hamilton did, because Hamilton did not think average citizens could make informed decisions about the government. In actuality, Hamilton wanted the national government to have much more power than was planned. Jefferson trusted the people much more and believed in an Agrarian society.
February 8th, 2007 at 10:07 am
I think it’s interesting that Hamilton grew up with insecure roots and worked hard to gain a substantial education, but yet his federalist views limited the rights and freedoms of individuals with similar backgrounds and, perhaps in most instances, weren’t as fortunate to excell the way he did. On the other hand, Jefferson, with his prominent roots, was angry that the Bill of Rights were omitted from the Constitution because he firmly believed in an egalitarian society and the rights and freedoms of all individuals. It is true that Jefferson was a slave owner, but eventually, in support of his views of equality, he opposed it.
February 12th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
TO answer question number 4 I will have to say the at man who we honor on the ten dollar bill was more correct, the first secretary of the tresuary, alexander hamilton because he was right to have a strong central government, a central bank, and to never back down from a duel.