Jeffersons and Hamiltons Differences - Article Example

  Jefferson considered agriculture to be the foundation of the American economy, while Hamilton favored commerce and industry. Jefferson opposed Hamilton’s proposal to establish a national Bank of the United States, to provide government subsidies to manufacturers and to impose tariffs to provide temporary protection to new firms. Jefferson argued that the establishment of a central bank was not sanctioned by the constitution and opposed the promotion of industry over agriculture. Hamilton suggested that the Federal government take over the unpaid public debts of the states and pay off the national debt. (Tours). In the area of foreign policy, Jefferson feared undue English influence and believed that America was obliged to actively support the French Revolution.

On the other hand, Hamilton tended towards England and warned against involvement in France. (Pearson). I think that both Jefferson and Hamilton held strong, valid positions. . Interpretation of the constitution, the debate on the expansion of the federal government’s authority and the emergence of the two-party political system have their roots in this conflict. The Democratic-Republican Party and the Federalist Party are the precursors of the present political divisions. America could fuse the philosophies of Jefferson and Hamilton for the good of the fledgling nation.

# 5: The Separation of Powers. Although the framers of the U.S. Constitution did not explicitly define the Separation of Powers, the concept is implicitly enshrined in the structure of government as laid down in Articles 1, 2 and 3. The functioning of the three branches of the federal government - the legislative, the executive and the judicial - are clearly demarcated and separated. Article 1 states that “All legislative powers.shall be vested in a Congress.” Article 2 vests “the executive power.

in a President.” Article 3 places the “judicial power of the United States in one Supreme Court”. The Legislative is composed of the House and Senate. The Executive is composed of the President, Vice-President, and the Departments. The Judicial is composed of the federal courts and the Supreme Court. The framers of the Constitution believed the Separation of Powers to be essential “because a concentration of political power is inherently dangerous and will sooner or later lead to the abuse of power and to oppressive government” (McClelland, Part 1V B).