The Rivalry Between Hamilton And Jefferson's First Political Parties

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Introduction As president, George Washington appointed cabinet members: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph as is trusted advisors. However, Hamilton and Jefferson had opposing political view, which developed American’s first political parties by the mid-1790s. The Federalist Party led by Hamilton and supported by Washington, believed that merchants and manufacturers were the backbone of the economy, they also supported a strong central government. On the other hand, Jefferson led The Democratic- Republic, advocated limited national government, and believed that artisans and farmers were the backbone of the economy. The rivalry between the Federalist and Democratic- Republican was the result of disputing the interpretation of the Constitution, conflicting political ideologies, and opposing agendas for the future of the American Republic. The causes of the rivalry itself …show more content…

The dispute began when, Secretary of Treasury Hamilton proposed a financial program (Redemption, Assumption, Funding, and Credit). In his plan, Hamilton argued for a national bank, claiming that it would increase the national governments economy growth. Jefferson opposed the plan inciting further conflict between Hamilton. Jefferson argued for a strict interpretation of the Constitution, claiming that the Constitution doesn’t specifically say it then you can’t do it. Therefore, the government can’t create a national bank. In contrast, Hamilton argued for the loose interpretation of the Constitution, he claimed that if the document doesn’t forbid it specifically then it could happen. Although, Hamilton’s finical program caused debate, Washington approved the

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