Two outstanding Founding Fathers had two vastly different visions for America: Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. The latter prevailed, and America has thus been Jeffersonian since then.
However, Hamilton has seen his fortune rise dramatically over the past few years. Two examples:
- “Hell” in 2015: Woman to replace Alexander Hamilton on $10 bill.
- “Heaven” in 2018: Behind the Broadway Smash “Hamilton”.
Nevertheless, I think he deserves much more attention and recognition, as he had a more enduring vision for America than Thomas Jefferson did, IMHO, at least.
1. Jefferson’s vision for America
It can be highlighted in four points as follows:
- Government: A loose union with a small and limited Federal government, leaving the people, including state and local governments, alone (aka “self-governing”).
- Economy: A strong economy with agriculture.
- Military: No standing army, but armed militia groups all over the country, thus the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
- Church and state: Separated.
2. Hamilton’s vision for America
It can be highlighted in four corresponding points as follows:
- Government: A tight union with a strong Federal government.
- Economy: A strong economy with industry, commerce, and finance (e.g., money, banking, and debt control).
- Military: A standing army.
- Church and state: Separated.
3. The key difference between Hamilton and Jefferson
Hamilton wanted to create a strong union, hopefully matching Britain in power eventually, while Jefferson wanted a minimalist Federal government for a “country of nature,” as highlighted below.
4. How did they fight it out?
George Washington, the first American President and a Federalist (just like Hamilton), balanced well between Hamilton, the first Secretary of Treasury, and Jefferson, the first Secretary of State.
Hamilton ran the Treasury very well and laid a solid financial foundation for America. For example, he created a central bank, which first assumed all the war debts of the 13 states and then paid them off. This was a good step toward building a strong Federal government.
However, Jefferson was always there as a counterforce against Hamilton, not only throughout the eight years of the Washington administration but also throughout the four years as the Vice President in the John Adams administration.
The key difference between Hamilton (sided by John Adams) and Jefferson hit its peak in the 1800 election, as highlighted by the image below.
The debate between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans was completely over after eight years of the Jefferson Presidency, followed by eight years of the Presidency under James Madison, a well-known disciple of Thomas Jefferson.
This is why America has been widely regarded as Jeffersonian so far, although some have argued that “We live, without question, in Hamilton’s America” (Whose Vision of America Won Out – Hamilton’s or Jefferson’s?). However, this argument is mostly academic, although it does raise some valid points. For example, using the solid financial foundation laid by Hamilton, Jefferson hugely expanded the territories (e.g., Louisiana Purchase) against his own vision of a minimalist government.
5. Discussion
There is no way to know how a Hamiltonian America would have turned out without Thomas Jefferson. But everything considered, especially given America’s deeply rooted problems today, I think it would have been better than Jeffersonian America.
6. Closing
America has been Jeffersonian throughout its life so far, which is why it is so deeply in trouble with no easy way out.
Two informative readings:
