Alexander Hamilton and other Federalists had a distinct vision for the direction America would take. They believed the country required a strong national government with a centralized authority, a complex commercial economy, and a significant presence in world affairs. (American History, p170). Thomas Jefferson and his followers envisioned a nation that would progress in a different direction. They believed the nation should focus on agriculture and remain mostly rural. They also wanted most of the power left in the hands of the states and the people, and not in a central government. Although this group of republicans had their own beliefs in respect to economy, education, culture, and politics, their vision did not always translate to …show more content…
They had an outlook of localism and simplicity. However, most Americans wanted not only cultural independence, but also a literary and artistic life that would rival Europes. This newfound quest first surfaced in schoolbooks such as Noah Webster’s American Spelling Book. His books would establish a national standard for words and usage. Other important work by American authors such as Mercy Otis Warren with her History of the American Revolution. This historical piece instilled a sense of nationalism in the American People. (American History, p186) Jefferson worked hard to minimize the glamour the past Presidents brought to the office. He viewed government itself in the same way. Once in office, he began decreasing the nations debt and eventually abolish all internal taxes. This left the sale of western lands and customs duties as the only source of revenue. Jefferson drastically reduced the nations armed forces cutting the size of the army almost in half and significantly reducing the size of the navy. Jefferson and his followers had a significantly different view from the previous group of Federalists. They feared a large central government and mob cities of Europe. Although they wanted America to remain a farming republic comprise of small towns which favored localism, that did not evolve into …show more content…
During the early nineteenth century the British Navy was comprised mostly of sailors that were impressed, or forced, into service. This led to a significant number of British sailors deserting at the first opportunity. To counteract this practice, British ships claimed the right to board American vessels to reimpress deserters. An inevitable skirmish took place when an American commander refused to allow the British to search his ship which resulted in several wounded and killed. This led to an embargo which prohibited American ships from sailing to any foreign port. Trade was eventually reopened but not before it created a serious depression through most of the nation. (American History, p206) Increasing conflict with the Indians was also a factor that led to the War of 1812. America continued to acquire land from the Indians. In the northwest it was through treaties while it the southwest it was through force. There were also two factors that contributed to further conflict. To the north, British colonial authorities feared an American invasion of Canada so they began providing the Indians with weapons and supplies. Several important Indian leaders also emerged who attempted to reignite the resistance of white settlers seizing their land. (American History,
Henry Clay led the nationalistic Jeffersonian economic agenda. This agenda was known as the American System (Holt, 1999). It included high protective tariffs to nourish American manufacturing, create a home market for American agricultural products, a national bank to provide a currency and federal subsidization of internal improvement projects to ease the movement of goods (Holt, 1999). These nationalistic Jeffersons would eventually push through Congress and the current President at the time (President Madison) would sign laws that affected two parts of their program. The Federalist Party diminished after 1815 and many former Federalists embraced the Republican Party.
In George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796), the departing president warned that the creation of political factions, would most certainly lead to “formal and permanent despotism” for the United States, of which he was clearly right. Despite Washington’s words of warning, two of his closest advisors, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, helped to form the factions that led to the dual party system under which the U.S. operates today. Hamilton and Jefferson came to represent the divisions that shaped the early national political landscape, for they had polar opposite views on how the Constitution of the United States should allow, and support, their vision of how the government should be run. Jefferson took a strong position against the creation of a large, central federal government that got itself involved in domestic affairs. According to Jefferson, the role of government should be small and more direct to local citizens, in order to keep the new republic from returning to a tyrannical monarchy.
The Revolution was a success, the Articles of Confederation were a failure, and the new Constitution was in its early stages. George Washington became the first president of the United States and established many precedents for the future leaders. All americans wanted the United States to grow stronger, lots of conflicts between whose view of america is best for our nation, Alexander Hamilton or Thomas Jefferson. Alexander Hamilton’s point of view was best for America because Hamilton wanted a strong federal government, he agreed foreign policy, and the Constitution to grow bigger.
“Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny,” said Thomas Jefferson, who believed in strict constitutional interpretation, a simple republican society, and the opposition of a powerful, centralized government. Opposed to Hamiltonian visions such as an industrialized nation, a powerful centralized government, the U.S Bank, high tariffs, and an approbation towards the white collar or upper class, Jefferson proposed ideals of agrarianism, a weak centralized government allowing more power to the individual, a miniscule standing army, and an approbation towards the blue collar or working class. Though Jefferson proposed many of these ideas, he was not able to act on many of them throughout his presidency. Due to certain circumstances dealing with war, the Embargo Act, and other urgencies during his presidency, Jefferson was forced into leading a more powerful, centralized government, contesting with his original hopes for the nation.
War was Jefferson's last resort as he hated conflict and moving eastward would almost guarantee bringing about it. Although Thomas Jefferson went into his presidency in 1800 with these strong ideas, he ended up pursuing many Federalist beliefs similar to those of Alexander Hamilton, his opponent of the opposing party during the election, due to certain circumstances that arose during his term. For example, he sent a naval fleet to Tripoli and also repealed the Embargo Act with France and Britain which were both against his ideals. He also kept many Federalist officials in office and even used a Federalist tax plan. On a much larger scale, Jefferson bought Louisiana and all the territory west of it from Napoleon.
President Thomas Jefferson firmly believed in the ability of the people of America to elect congressmen for guidance of the republic of America. He, also, felt that the central government should be sparing or economical with regard to money. In order to be frugal, he reduced the size of America’s army and navy to almost nothing. He, also, ended internal taxes and worked on paying off the federal debt.
Yet the federal us movement saw this is supporting flexibility not stability within the nation. McCoy describes these ideas of the Republicans with their own bias view giving a more enlightened look at Republicans compared to Kerber Article that gives a persistent view of their opportunity as federalist and their success with political however after reading McCoys article sheds light on how Jefferson did not want to industrialize the country a feeling that there was little need and that the ideal diss taste meant for proletariat on industry labor and also discussions and arguments over Louisiana purchase. Federal us at this time so this purchase to be random and unneeded where Jefferson sought is the importance of expansion of the country and contributing to a realistic power being added to the
Jefferson advocated for small government, but expanded federal
They were used to the norms of society; therefore, they were not ready for the Federalists to change the nation. The nation had just gotten out of the Revolutionary War and gained their independence; therefore, they believed that the Federalists would lead them back to the crown. This was the major reason that the Jeffersonians had a strong opposition towards the Federalists. After the
As late as the nineteenth century, Native American relations with the Anglo-Americans remained full of unease and hostility. The desire to expand the U.S. coast-to-coast known as Manifest Destiny inspired many to travel west to seek new opportunities and land. However, although the U.S. grew and successfully established a transcontinental railroad, Native Americans regressed under the developing America. As a result, Native Americans attempted to backlash with events like the Battle of Little Bighorn where efforts to preserve Native American culture were short-lasting. From social factors such as the assimilation of natives to economic factors such as taking land forcefully, tensions between Native Americans and Anglo-Americans persisted.
They wanted to create a relationship with France, focused on agriculture over commercialism, and free trade. Over time the Federalist party weakened while the Jeffersonian republicans evolved into the Democrats.
In other hand, Anti-federalist wanted to have strong state government. As previously mentioned, Thomas Jefferson view was very different for America as Hamilton and many others federalist. Hamilton view was to industrializing. In other hand, Jefferson vision was to expand the largely for farmers. Jefferson encourage to expansion westward.
• Thomas Jefferson assumed control of the national government in 1801. He wanted a nation of independent farmers and a system of universal education. He wanted a nation with a weak central government and more power in the state. • American economy was becoming more diverse and complex. • Jefferson dismantled the Federalist government.
Britain was at war with France, and France declared “a complete naval blockade of Great Britain. ”(American Yawp Ch.7) This blockade cost the United States about 900 ships and over 6,000 men due to British impressments. In response, President Jefferson enacted the Embargo Act of 1808.
Thomas Jefferson during the 1790’s-1800’s while working with federalists Alexander Hamilton, his viewpoints were different. During the 1790’s Jefferson was known to be in the democratic-republican party where he progresses an ideal structure of equivalencies between money and weight standards with the American/Spanish currency. Jefferson took charge of the republicans after a conflict created two parties, republican-democratic and the federalist, who empathized with the revolutionary cause in France. While attacking the federalist policies, Jefferson opposed a strong centralized government and granted the rights of states. While Jefferson was in presidency, he cut down on the Army and Navy expenditures, cut the U.S. budget, eliminated the tax