Hamilton vs. JeffersonHamilton vs. Jefferson

Where should power be Where should power be concentrated?concentrated?

HamiltonHamilton

Federal GovernmentFederal Government

A strong federal govt. A strong federal govt. equals stronger equals stronger nationnation

JeffersonJefferson

State & Local Govts.State & Local Govts.

Protects rights of the Protects rights of the citizens from a citizens from a massive government massive government

Should the national govt. be Should the national govt. be strong?strong?

HamiltonHamilton

YesYes

This would help us This would help us become a better become a better nation and improve nation and improve our economyour economy

JeffersonJefferson

NoNo

A strong federal govt. A strong federal govt. would abuse its would abuse its power and not act in power and not act in the best interests of the best interests of the peoplethe people

How should the Constitution be How should the Constitution be interpreted?interpreted?

HamiltonHamilton

Loose interpretationLoose interpretation

Elastic Clause / Elastic Clause / Necessary and Necessary and Proper ClauseProper Clause

JeffersonJefferson

Strict interpretationStrict interpretation

Powers are very Powers are very clearly outlined in clearly outlined in ConstitutionConstitution

Should there be a national bank?Should there be a national bank?

HamiltonHamilton

YesYes

Bank would Bank would strengthen the strengthen the economyeconomy

Encourage foreign Encourage foreign investmentinvestment

JeffersonJefferson

NoNo

Unhealthy alliance Unhealthy alliance between the govt. and between the govt. and wealthy businessmen. wealthy businessmen.

Constitution has no Constitution has no provisions for a provisions for a National BankNational Bank

What should the economy be What should the economy be based on?based on?

HamiltonHamilton

Shipping & Shipping & manufacturingmanufacturing

Future of the nation Future of the nation depended upon depended upon industry and industry and manufacturing and manufacturing and companies should be companies should be given tax breaks for given tax breaks for opening factoriesopening factories

JeffersonJefferson

FarmingFarming

Farming would keep Farming would keep this nation strong due this nation strong due to its favorable to its favorable climate and massive climate and massive amount of arable landamount of arable land

How should debt be managed?How should debt be managed?

HamiltonHamilton

Federal govt. Federal govt. assumes both state assumes both state and national debtand national debt

Creditors would then Creditors would then have reason to have reason to support the federal support the federal govt., wanted to issue govt., wanted to issue new bonds to cover new bonds to cover the old ones and pay the old ones and pay off foreign debtoff foreign debt

JeffersonJefferson

Federal govt. pays Federal govt. pays only national debt & only national debt & states pay off their states pay off their own debtown debt

Most southern states Most southern states had little/no debt so had little/no debt so they did not want the they did not want the federal govt. to pay federal govt. to pay off northern debt, pay off northern debt, pay off all debts over timeoff all debts over time

What did he fear?What did he fear?

HamiltonHamilton

Mob ruleMob rule

A weak central govt. A weak central govt. would lead to future would lead to future mob events like mob events like Shay’s Rebellion Shay’s Rebellion which could cause the which could cause the nation to collapsenation to collapse

JeffersonJefferson

Absolute power/rulerAbsolute power/ruler

A strong central govt. A strong central govt. could create another could create another Great Britain where Great Britain where the rights and desires the rights and desires of the people would of the people would be ignoredbe ignored

Who supported him?Who supported him?

HamiltonHamilton

Merchants, Merchants, manufacturers, manufacturers, landowners, landowners, investors, lawyers, & investors, lawyers, & clergy urban areasclergy urban areas

JeffersonJefferson

““Plain people” – Plain people” – farmers, trades farmers, trades people, middle class people, middle class artisans, rural areasartisans, rural areas

Political PartyPolitical Party

HamiltonHamilton

FederalistsFederalists

JeffersonJefferson

Republicans Republicans (Democratic-(Democratic-Republicans)Republicans)