Ha﻿milton vs Jefferson Period 4

Hamilton vs Jefferson Period 4

10/28/2015

Introduction: Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were immensely influential and polarizing figures during the early years of the new American republic. These men represented two drastically different views for the future of the United States. Their debates about the role of government, the rights of the people, and the United States economy would lead to nothing less than the formation of America's first political parties. Whose view do you think was best for the United States?

Directions: Write a blog post that supports and defends the views of Alexander Hamilton or Thomas Jefferson. Your post must include the following:

At least three paragraphs
Direct quotes from Hamilton and/or Jefferson
Specific facts and details about their beliefs and actions as political leaders that are used to support your claim.
A counter claim paragraph: A paragraph that explains the view of the opposing side and explains why that view is incorrect.
Each student must comment on at least one other student's blog post. Examples: "I agree with this post because...." "I disagree with this post because...." "I found this post interesting because....." etc.

4 Comments

Michael Lewis

10/30/2015 08:14:31 am

What would you rather have a government with its thumb on you back or would you rather have a government with power but an equal power to where even if corrupt can’t go ramped like a certain king of Britain that we know. Thomas Jefferson is somebody who fought for equal power for the common people instead of hamilton is focused on giving the power only to the strong aka the rich which is about 1% of the people. At the time of george washington presidency these two people ideas clashed against each other like animals
in this case i'll be taking the side of jefferson which has said and i quote["I am persuaded myself that the good sense of the people will always be found to be the best army. . . . They may be led astray for a moment, but will soon correct themselves." – Jefferson, to Edward Carrington, 1787].this saying as a counter that even if people get caught up in momentary passion that always return to what's supposed to be done but wait as a begging to my counterclaim does not this senseless momentary passion go for the government to after all there still people
hamilton is man who believes that the rich and able be left to rule in the fact that he has said “All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and well born; the other, the mass of people… The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right. Give therefore to the first class a … permanent share in the government… they therefore will ever maintain good government.” this i feel is wrong to basically give a small % of population power given in the positions in the government meaning that 1% gets to decide everything starting to sound like a past threat that the colonies fought to oppose and get rid of just to put himself back in that situation i wouldn't want that why would you

Alejandra Morillo

11/1/2015 01:51:10 pm

Alejandra Morillo

Throughout history there have been many influential people. In the United States both Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were a big part of the new American republic. These two political figures carry a different perspective for the future of the United States. Both stood up for people's rights and economy for the country. Hamilton was anti-federals and believed in a government that, must ally itself with the richest element of society to make itself strong. Jefferson was democratic and believed in state rights with an farming economy.

It's a clear thing that Thomas Jefferson was a man that gave the best and most clear view for the United States. He talks about the best way to govern people. “ a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry…” He wants unity as a group not being backfired by each other. If you backfire someone it should be for a string reason and together. Jefferson was involved in creating a steady government with equality. “ The small landowners are the most precious part of the state”. If you want a steady government you shouldn't have divided communities, something Hamilton says it's a must.

Hamilton may be right in thinking the general public “ have a more active and imperious control over human conduct than general or remote consideration of policy,utility,and justice.” Giving people the change themselves can be chaotic but if you not take the chance hi would you actually know ? Jefferson said “ they may be led astray for a moment, but will soon, selves. Quotation mar for a moment, but will soon, selves.” People won't do anything that is beneficial for oneself, saying that I agree with Thomas Jefferson and his impact in the United States.

Daniel Ingrassia

11/4/2015 04:39:34 am

In my opinion, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson had completely different strategies for governing the people of America, Both men had methods that were valid and efficient but if I had to side with one it would be Hamilton. His ideas were geared more towards governing strictly and not giving individuals room to make bad choices with their freedom since they didn't have an abundance of it. He was a business man from Barbados that lived in New York, while Jefferson was born and raised in Virginia. Both of these men favored the well-being of the general public but Jefferson's view was more lenient.
Hamilton's view on the general public can be summarized as; he believed "momentary passions and immediate impulses have a more active and imperious control over human conduct than general or remote considerations of policy, utility, and justice." I agree with his claim because it has been evident in his era and is still identifiable in human conduct today, more so than Jefferson's claim. Hamilton also believed that the rank and the power to make decisions should be in the hands of the upper, more educated and richer class. This makes sense because it is unlikely for anyone to want the power of the government to be in the hands of some farmers or goat herders or things of this nature.
One key element to consider when comparing these two men is their ides pertaining to how a government should be run based on the Constitution. Jefferson's policy would demonstrate this form of power where the government would be a lot less restricting and allow people just enough infringement to avert chaos. This can be looked at as beneficial for the people, giving them freedom to choose to pursue anything they want in any field, and could be a dynamic method. However, as Hamilton states, a government would be most successful when you "enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige it to control itself." This is saying he wants to establish a set ruling ground and when people are herded, leave the power for decisions in the hands of the higher class for the best interest of the nation. This even seems more efficient than Jefferson's point of view and it has been evident that it is in today's society, since the government seems to run itself. Lastly, i support Hamilton because he is more opinionated than Jefferson, he's firm and favors the economy, and feels that smarter men should be in charge.

David Fox

11/4/2015 07:53:54 pm

first of all you have the federalist led by alexander hamilton and john adams while jefferson and james madison as republicans / democrats . there conflict is about federalism ( two levels of government ) the nature of the federal government . hamilton believed in a strong central government , allowing the government officials to make the rules and rights for all the citizens of lower class, while u have jefferson who believes in state rights. this means that the everyday people of lower class , uneducated or not . can have a voice in the countries decisions.

however both man feared the idea of one gaining too much power .which is like a king / monarchy. jefferson is strong believer in the constitution and believes that all the countries decisions should fall under the constitution. on the other hand hamilton believed in the constitution, but a looser version. meaning that there is ways of going around the constitution, which will make the country develope better as a nation. need i mr fox remind you that hamiton only supported the wealthy industrial owners , which was a smaller comparison to the majority of the nation which was famers and everyday people.

the idea of the national bank was an idea proposed by hamilton to pay off america's depth after the war . although this was a great idea , jefferson see’s this as un constitutional and see’s that this “ national bank “ will in return later wave havey taxes on the everyday citizens. which caused a major conflict between both hamilton and jefferson.
now a like background on jefferson “began his political career at age 26 , 1779 elected governor of virginia, was a architect and a farmer “ and hamilton “was an orphan at age 1 , also was a ship clerk that later made his way to new york and attended columbia university “ .