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Contrasting Views Of Alexander Hamilton And Thomas Jefferson

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From 1789 to 1799, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were two powerful leaders who had contrasting views on how government should function. This time period was known as the Federalist era. Two political factions were forming. One was the Federalists and they supported a strong federal government. The other was the Democratic - Republicans, who were strong adovotactews of state’s rights. George Washington was elected the first President of the United States and was determined to do his job. He appointed Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic - Republican, as his secretary of state and Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist, as the secretary of the treasury. The French Revolution in 1789 , called for America to side with the French or the British. …show more content…

They differed on their views on the common man, who should be able to vote, and their thoughts on special privilege. Hamilton did not have faith that the common man could be intrusted with the affairs of the government. “The people are turbulent and changing: they seldom judge or determine right,” according to Hamilton. This meant he supported the idea of high voting requirements which did not allow the lower classes to vote. He believed the wealthy had the special privilege to control society and the government. Hamilton can be quoted saying, “Give therefore to the first class a distinct, permanent share in the government.” Since he was such a fierce supporter of the wealthy, the taxes he proposed hurt the lower classes the most. Jefferson was utterly the opposite of Hamilton. He had faith in the common people and trusted they would be able to run the government. Jefferson said “Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers. . . alone. The people themselves are its only safe depository.” Jefferson supported the idea of low voting qualification because the common folk should have a say in government. He considered the poor, not the wealthy, as being the key to freedom. According to him, “Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” Special privilege was something Jefferson was wary of. He believed people born wealthy should not be entitled to the right to run the government they way they see fit. Hamilton and Jefferson acquired different social views regarding special privilege, who should be able to vote, and their speculation of the common

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