Two Founding Fathers, Washington’s closest advisers, the first secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and the first secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, presented different viewpoints of the American Revolution and were one of the first people, who shaped the political landscape in the new-born independent country. Their debate and opposition have eventually led to the founding of the dual party system in the U.S., which still operates today. Although the economic conditions and political needs were different at that period, the basic principles and ideals remain currently central.
In the first part of 20th century Hamilton and Jefferson were ascribed a “realistic position” and “moralistic illusion” respectively. This position was explained by the neutrality of Hamilton and Jefferson’s desire to intervene on the side of France. However, such an opinion was reconsidered and presented Hamilton as one, “who acted “unswervingly” to transform the United States into a George III-type oligarchy” (Bowman 19). Indeed, Hamilton has been afterwards viewed as a one, who conceived the interest of the country in terms of a close relation and connection with England, whereas Jefferson was dedicated to a balance of power in America and was even ready to accept war with Britain in order to preserve this balance. Therefore, Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans read the Constitution strictly, supported French Revolution, state right and high involvement of people in the state affair, while Hamilton’s Federalists wanted to establish a strong central government, did not support the French Revolution and provided more immunity and rights to a president. According to Fatovic (2002), who analyzed Jefferson’s “Opinion on the Constitutionality” and “The Papers of Hamilton”, the Hamiltonian executive would invoke some powers present implicitly in the Constitution in order to justify an extra-legal exercise of prerogative, whereas Jeffersonian executive would rather admit a violation of the law and look for post hoc approval and consent from the public (Fatovic 430). These and many other differences in their policy resulted in presentation of two political factions – the “Republicans” and the “Federalists” at that time.
It is very difficult to judge about the appropriateness of actions on the both sides, because they aimed at improvement and development of the American economy. Hamilton oriented on the business and industry, established a national bank and strived for presenting of the U.S. as a strong industrial power. Jefferson believed the country’s strength to lie in the agricultural sector and considered people to be the most authoritative power and potential of the state. At the same time both leaders complemented each other’s policies and prevented from some radical extremity, that might have left the government weak and not ready for self-recovery and protection.
Works cited
Bowman, Albert. “Jefferson, Hamilton and American Foreign Policy”. Political Science
Qarterly 71 (1). (1956): 18-41. Print.
Fatovic, Clement. “Constitutionalism and Presidential Prerogative: Jeffersonian and
Hamiltonian Perspectives”. American Journal of Political Science 48(3). (2004): 429-444. Print.
