Thomas Jefferson’s position as one of the most influential Founding Fathers is undeniable. His public service record is indicative of a spirit bent on creating a democratic republic. The Constitution of 1787 established a new representative government with George Washington as the new chief executive. However, Jefferson’s ensuing controversy with Alexander Hamilton established the cornerstones of our modern political party structures.
These two competing visions of the country exemplified the challenges inherent in creating a government without a blueprint. But Jefferson rise to the presidency in 1800 and Hamilton’s death of Hamilton at the hands of then-vice president Aaron Burr removed virtually all Federalist criticisms. Still, Hamilton’s Federalism contrasted Jefferson’s Republicanism to create a Union that would embody both the monarchical traditions of Europe and the Thirteen Colonies’ revolutionary spirit.
Alexander Hamilton-Mr. Federalist
Like Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton’s unquestioned resolve to servicing the new Republic ensures his status not only as an influential Founding Father, but arguable the one whose policies established a singular American identity. As Washington’s first Secretary of the Treasury, he tackled the formidable task of placing the new country on solid financial ground. Much to Jefferson’s chagrin, Hamilton soon began modeling the image of the country on that of Great Britain. His reliance on manufacturing and industry contradicted Jefferson’s vision of a country of small land owners and farmers. Nonetheless, Hamilton succeeded in not only creating the U.S. Mint and the First National Bank of the U.S., he also established the superiority of the new federal government over the individual state governments.
Hamilton’s “Assumption Plan” was perhaps his most enduring legacy to the new republic, even though it nearly failed. The idea of having the federal government assumed the Revolutionary War debts of each state initial met with severe criticism. Jefferson and James Madison believed Hamilton’s plan unfairly favored the North because many of the Southern states had paid already paid off large portions of their debts. Until he agreed to locate the new Federal City along the Potomac River, Jefferson and Madison were prepared to defeat any measure he presented to Congress. But the passage of Hamilton’s Assumption Plan ensured the support of the states for the federal government and location of the future Washington, D.C. would be in the South. Hamilton resigned from Washington’s cabinet in 1795 satisfied that the country was on its way to international respectability.
Jefferson’s Republic
Even though Jefferson feared the new country would assume too many of the monarchical trappings of Great Britain, the country thrived in the first few decades of the 19th century. Even the War of 1812 could not dampen the growing patriotism experienced throughout the country. However, his vision of the country and the creation of the initial Republican Party kept the Federalists “honest” in the first twelve years under the Constitution. Jefferson wanted the government to be accessible to all people, and not the chosen few of the aristocracy. Admittedly, Jefferson’s life was full of contradictions, as he surely was a member of that aristocracy. Nonetheless, the contributions of this Founding Father established the political foundations upon which this great country is built.
References
Malone, Dumas (1974). Jefferson the President: Second Term, 1805-1809. Boston: Little, Brown and Company.
Ron Goodwin - I remember my first day of history class as an undergraduate. The first day of any class is often stressful but history was particularly ...
