The Federalist Age, or the Age of Passion, is a time of political turmoil as the United States continues to experiment with republican governing ideals. Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Adams are among the most prominent figures during the Age of Passion, each having a different idea for how this new federal government should be structured in order to form a more perfect union; bringing the heterogeneous and scattered population of the country into unity, and achieving independence from outside powers that would want to stake a claim in the New World. Hamilton can only be described as a financially savvy, radical Federalists with the intent on forming a government that mirrors the British system. He wanted …show more content…
While Hamilton wanted a Federalist run government, almost at any cost, Jefferson was more likely to maintain the union than to get his way. Jefferson believed that America, as a republic, should be built upon the foundation virtue, autonomy, and personal independence. The governing body should come together selflessly for the general good instead of for personal gain. The agrarian life, a more simpler style of economy than industrialization, was preferred. Jefferson also preferred an alliance with France, but wanted the United States to maintain a kind of neutrality that, instead of siding with no country, would remain friendly to all countries, and impartial to conflicts. Jefferson stood on the opposite side of the spectrum than Hamilton on most issues. These points are the basis for the formation of the two proto-parties: the Federalists and the Republicans. Jefferson, during his time as the Secretary of State, was visited by Genet who told Jefferson of France’s plan to encourage discontent in Kentucky to attack the Spanish Louisiana. Jefferson answered that he did not care if France enlisted the help of Kentucky to fight Spain, who were on good terms with the United States, which would almost certainly lead to a bitter …show more content…
Adams started out as the Vice President to George Washington, and it was contested by many who should take his position instead as Adams held monarchical principles that many in the opposition party viewed as non-representative of the principles of the American people, and dangerous to the republicanism ideals that the country was founded on, specifically how the United States separated from the monarchy of Great Britain to turn around and have leaders that promote such ideas. During Adam’s election, the Federalists viewed him as a liability for their cause, and the Hamiltonian Federalists, the majority at the time, decided to promote another candidate, Thomas Pinckney. Adams became everyone’s second choice in the election because, while he might be a danger to the federal interests, he was seen as the middle ground candidate between Jefferson and Pinckney. Adams held a pessimistic view of the future of the republican government; that corruption would end the republic early on in the United State’s life. He was elected to president in 1796, and had a notable presidency, with Jefferson as Vice President, of Hamiltonian Federalists versus Adams Federalists versus Jeffersonian Republicans fighting over power. It was this election that marked the beginning of the end of the Federalist proto-party, as
Federalists were supporters of the Constitution and wanted a stronger government. The leaders of the Federalists were Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. This group had more advantages because the leaders were already members of the constitutional convention. Since they were a part of the constitutional convention, they were well-known with the issues the document had to offer. They were also organized
Hamilton and the Federalist party sided with the British; this was quite frowned upon by Jefferson and his party. For example, he implied in a memo that Hamilton was not only a monarchist, but supported Britain, a monarchy based upon corruption (Document 1). Jefferson’s point of view in this memo is entirely anti-British, and anti-Hamilton. He is attempting to tell the people reading it that Hamilton could be corrupt. On the other hand, Hamilton did not agree with Jefferson, Madison, and the Democratic-Republicans siding with the French. For instance, Alexander Hamilton suggests in a letter that these men are untrustworthy and dangerous due to their bond to France and hatred toward Great Britain (Document 2). The implication of Jay’s Treaty with the British furthered the disagreements over foreign relations. As previously stated, Democratic-Republicans were pro-French, while Federalists were pro-British; this caused obvious problems over Jay’s Treaty. For example, the Democratic-Republicans feared this negotiation would sell out their country and force southern planters to pay for a majority of pre-revolutionary debts. On the flip side, Federalists were in support of a stronger alliance with Britain and would earn benefits from it; Federalist shippers were being repaid for the damages left during British seizures
During the period 1800-1817, the Jeffersonians to a great extent compromised their political principles and essentially “out Federalized the Federalists”. While traditional Jeffersonian Republicanism advocated a strict interpretation of the Constitution and an emphasis on an agrarian economic system, the actual policies of Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were markedly different from their theoretical principles. This obvious compromise of Jeffersonian principles is evident in the Federal government’s assumption of broad-based political powers and institution of capitalistic Hamiltonian economic reforms, both of which stemmed from Jefferson and Madison’s adoption of broad constructionist policies.
As the young colonies of America broke away from their mother country and began to grow and develop into an effective democratic nation, many changes occurred. As the democracy began to grow, two main political parties developed, the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists. Each party had different views on how the government should be run. The Jeffersonian Republicans believed in strong state governments, a weak central government, and a strict construction of the Constitution. The Federalists opted for a powerful central government with weaker state governments, and a loose interpretation of the Constitution. Throughout the years, the political parties have grown, developed, and even dispersed into totally new factions. Many of the inconsistencies and changes can be noted throughout the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
Madison begins perhaps the most famous of the Federalist papers by stating that one of the strongest arguments in favor of the Constitution is the fact that it establishes a government capable of controlling the violence and damage caused by factions. Madison defines that factions are groups of people who gather together to protect and promote their special economic interests and political opinions. Although these factions are at odds with each other, they frequently work against the public interests, and infringe upon the rights of others.
He was bold and persuasive and his philosophies quite extraordinary for his time. Jefferson’s agricultural viewpoint was vastly different from Hamilton’s manufacturing perspective. Though they both envisioned a great and prosperous nation, they had contrasting opinions on how this should occur. Hamilton, a Federalist, believed the rich and powerful should be the central government for all people, as they knew better how to foster and protect the em... ...
Philosophers that shaped and influenced the Federalist include Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu and John Locke. These philosophers believed in natural rights and built branches of government that would protect these natural rights. They believed that all men are instinctively selfish individuals and strive for self-preservation. From their viewpoint, balancing mans selfish desires and the desire to safeguard the community would be the ideal form of government for man. These philosophers built their ideas around the theory that too much liberty is bad for society. In order to avoid creating a strong central government comparable to Great B...
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were both men for the greater good and for the future of the nation. Jefferson and Hamilton had their differences, and public policies but also similarities. Thomas and Alexander were both part of different political parties. The political parties were called Federalists and anti-Federalists. Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton who were a group of people were for a strong governments and strong government. The anti-federalist’s leader was none other but Thomas Jefferson. The anti-federalists were for a state and local government. The main comparison among these two gentlemen were that they were both leaders of their own political party. The other difference was their view on both of the types of
While there were some instances where the Hamiltonian Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans managed to coexist in a somewhat peaceful manner, most of their tenure as political parties was filled with feuding and disagreement over the economy and role of the national government. The men were true to their beliefs and strategies in which they best believed to lead to a functioning, united America, and while often disagreeing they simply wanted to see the nation thrive and succeed. Major issues, including those of Hamilton’s suggested fiscal system as well as loyalties to the French, only contributed to their constant dislike of each other and their intentions, and most likely contributed to their demise as political parties.
Jefferson’s beliefs in local self government created differences between himself and Alexander Hamilton which created the Federalists (Hamilton followers) and the Democrat Republican’s (Jefferson followers).
By far, the most enduring aspect of Jefferson is the philosophies he held. These philosophies were brought up during his contentious debates against Hamilton during Washington’s presidency. At first, Hamilton prevailed and saw his philosophies become policies. Though, later, Jefferson was able to implement his philosophies himself. These famous philosophies of Jefferson were simple. He envisioned an agrarian democratic society, where the states had an upper hand in terms of federal-state power, and the Constitution was read in a strict sense (i.e. not permitting anything not specifically stated). In terms of foreign relations, Jefferson favored the French. This was not a long-lived love, though, with the many horrible things that happened between the U.S. and the French. These opinions held by Jefferson were opposite Hamilton, and both managed to be the foundations of their own parties: the Democratic-Republicans and the Federalists, respectively. He also hated the thought of the president holding a sense of nobility, as will become evident during his presidency.
On March 4, 1801 is the day that Thomas Jefferson assumed office as the third president of the United States. Besides the political debate between the two parties, Jefferson had a philosophy. Jefferson’s philosophy was about having economy in government, unrestricted trade, freedom of religion and press, friendship to all nations but “entangling alliances” with none. As president, Jefferson wanted to shape the nature of the emerging republic and defining the powers of the Constitution as well as end the importation of slaves and maintain his view of the separation of church and state (“Establishing”). When it comes to Jefferson’s political opponents, the opposing political party was the biggest challenge for him. The Federalists were afraid of what Jefferson would do if he became president. For example, they thought that he would reverse what was accomplished during the
Our powerpoint states that the Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. The Anti-Federalists on the other hand, did not agree. The powerpoint mentions that they attacked every area of the Constitution, but two of its features attracted the most criticism. One was the extremely increased powers of the central government. The second included the lack of “bill of rights” that would have provided necessary liberties including freedom of speech and religion.
Also, Jefferson believed that agriculture would be able to support a nation at war and make sure that its supply lines would not be cut off and leave the US vulnerable. While Hamilton and Jefferson both tried to give the new nation what they thought was best, it was inevitable that their views would clash. Due to sharp differences in their political and economic thoughts, Hamilton and Jefferson more often than not found themselves fighting over issues they should have been in agreement with. Hamilton’s Federalism and Jefferson’s anti-Federalism all served to create a different movement that would affect the nation both economically and politically as the years after the Revolution played out.
Federalism is a legal concept that is centered around the concept that law is best handled as a two layered responsibility. Federalism is also built on a belief that sharing power with the local government is key to a successful governance. According to the text book, “the United States was the first nation to adopt federalism as its governing framework” (pg83). The following are a few examples of some advantages, as well as disadvantages of Federalism.