Politics has always been complicated in the history of the United States. It was to be expected. After all, this was when government was just beginning to take hold. As it began to grow, the country became more and more complicated. There were all kinds of people debating how this country should be run. Some of these men were Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. These founding fathers had many different opinions about political and economic philosophy as well as domestic and foreign policy (Woods, 2021). Before discussing Jefferson and Hamilton’s different views, we need to understand the basic reason why these differences existed. While this reason does not explain all of their opposing views, it certainly explains some of them.
Thomas Jefferson was an agricultural advocate who foresaw America’s prosperity in a pastoralist economy by watching enslaved people till the land and harvest from the porch of Monticello. Mazzei began exporting agricultural products to Europe with Filippo, but Europe did not prosper. His Louisiana Purchase (after the Lewis and Clark Expedition he was on) was the largest land purchase in world history, and he was president when many bypassed Congress fearing it would stop him (Woods, 2021). This perception was fueled by life in Virginia and the then-existing South, with its fertile lowlands and cheap labor.
Meanwhile, Hamilton and those who lived in the rocky, tree-lined lands of the northeast found Jefferson’s vision impossible in their area and enslaved people were not used. Hamilton and others see America’s prosperity as an industrial nation, comparing it to industrialized Britain, which peaked during the Industrial Revolution. Hamilton has proven time and time again that he is also a financial genius. Thus, he became the first Minister of Finance. Many members of Congress also believed in this vision, so they told Hamilton about the goals that must be achieved to make America an industrial nation to achieve independence from Britain, which was still dominated by industrial power.
Britain ruled the colonies through mercantilism, although the colonies were released from British legal obligations, they were still bound by Britain due to their industrial capacity to turn natural or unprocessed raw materials into finished products. Supporter of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations (published 1776) and other European economists (Woods, 2021). At that time, the Congress approached him for advice on increasing the country’s industrial power in the rice fields. In his 1791 report to Congress, at the request of Congress, Hamilton laid out seven fundamental principles, detailed over 137 pages. Most of them are taken from Adam Smith. Virginians and Southerners still clung to Jefferson’s vision, which led to the Civil War, while the Northeast moved inexorably towards industrialization, actively copying as much as possible from Britain. Thus began the rise of America as an industrial power, and Jefferson’s vision continued American expansion, opening thousands of miles west to slavery-free agriculture.
Jefferson even accomplished more than Hamilton, which is why he had the greatest influence. In conclusion, the two had many differences. However, they were also very important in American history. The views of Jefferson and Hamilton have shaped Congress to this day. For this reason, these amazing men should be celebrated. They will serve generations to come. Jefferson even accomplished more than Hamilton, so he had the greatest influence. In conclusion, these two had many differences. However, they were also very important in American history. The views of Jefferson and Hamilton have shaped Congress to this day. For this reason, these amazing men should be celebrated; they will serve generations to come.
Reference
Woods, M. N. (2021). The Founding of Thomas Jefferson’s University ed. by John A. Ragosta, Peter S. Onuf and Andrew J. O’Shaughnessy. Journal of Southern History, 87(1), 117-118.