Political Parties: Thomas Jefferson And Alexander Hamilton

The idea of political parties alarmed many Americans. Even the most influential political leaders despised the concept of these parties. Citizens feared that the parties would create chaos and division in the country and would abolish the hard work our leaders did to create unity. Americans also feared that “factions” would develop, like the very hated ones that formed in Britain that would use bribes with the government for personal gain. The leaders of the trend were Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. These men had many differing views of government, economy, and allies and because of this, they often could not reach fair compromises. In the end, they needed to organize supporters who agreed with them. Defying the opinions of many

In the end, the inevitable occurred and Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton helped lead the way. According to Document Three, “I fear this is inseparable from the individual differences of the human mind and that degree of freedom which allows for unlimited expression.” This statement said by Jefferson infers that because people have it in their natural instincts to form and stand for their opinions, different alliances (political parties) always form in any society. In addition, because the first amendment in the Bill of Rights states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,” (Constitution Project,) people have the right to state their opinion and assemble supporters, so that is what they did. Another factor in the creation of political parties was the difference in ideas between Hamilton and Jefferson. According to Document One, some ideas that the two men differed in was the strength of the federal government, interpretation of the constitution,