Question #48f26
2 Answers
They had opposite visions for their countries
Explanation:
Jefferson believed in agrarianism whereas Hamilton believed in a society in which money and industry had the greatest importance. Hamilton thus wanted a central bank whereas Jefferson opposed it firmly. Hamilton thus supported the Bank of North America and the First Bank of the United States whereas Jefferson thought:
"If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their Fathers conquered.... I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.... The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs."
They were not only opponents because they were in opposite parties, Hamilton was a member of the Federalists whereas Jefferson belonged to the Democratic Republicans. Their ideological opposition constitute the basic political opposition in American History between the left and the right.
Thomas Jefferson believed in the wisdom of common people while Hamilton believed in the elite.
Explanation:
Hamilton felt that George Washington should be made king showing his preference of rule by the elite. The federalists of which Hamilton was a founding father wanted a strong central government. The central government would rule in the best interest of the nature as determined by the wisdom of the elite ruling class. This was reflected in his advocacy of a central bank that would control the finances of the nation. As Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton believed he could run the finances of the nation better than the common people. (This is similar to the present Democratic Party in America)
Thomas Jefferson believed that the common person was best suited to determine was good for the nation. The common person at the time was a farmer, so Jefferson pushed for freedom and power of the farmers and agriculture. Jefferson wanted a limited central government and stronger state governments. He felt too strong of a central government was a threat to individual freedoms. Jefferson opposed a central bank, as money is power and a central bank in control of the finances of the nation would place too much power in the hands of the monied elite. Thomas Jefferson was a founding father of the Democratic Republicans which opposed the Federalists. ( This is similar to the present Republican Party in America.
