Essay about Jefferson VS. Hamilton DBQ

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Jeff Hom

4/5/14

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Hamilton Vs. Jefferson DBQ

In the history of America, Thomas Jefferson, the Secretary of State, and Hamilton, the Secretary of the Treasury, were two of the greatest leaders of our country. Although they both lead the country, that's where the similarities end as they had opposing views on everything. Jefferson was a republican while Hamilton was a federalist. Jefferson had been opposed to all of Hamilton's ideas, such as his financial plan, his interpretation of the powers of the government, his foreign policy, and his vision for the future of America. Jefferson was against Hamilton's views because his financial plan would ultimately destroy democracy in America, his interpretation of the powers of
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He believed in this type of government because he saw that Britain was flourishing and he thought that if America adopted the same type of government, then the country would succeed as well. Hamilton shared his view on popular rule by stating, “The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right. Give to the first class a distinct, permanent share in the government” (Doc. 6). Hamilton objected to power among the people because he believed that the people are always changing and have ambition.

This creates a state of mind that a common person can never settle on one decision and is always going to change their beliefs. Hamilton also states his disagreement with Jefferson by saying, “In respect to our foreign politic, the views of the gentlemen and his supports are unsound and dangerous. They have a womanish attachment to France, and a womanish resentment against Great Britain” (Doc. 9). Hamilton shows his hate on Jefferson's views and comments that they are unsound and dangerous. Jefferson on the other hand believed that the government should be a democracy with power shared among all the people. Jefferson supported the French because of multiple reasons. First, he wanted to honor the treaty between America and France, and help them in the war against the British. Second, he