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Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson
Hamilton Versus Jefferson on Popular Rule
Though both Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson served as members of President Washington’s cabinet, the two held very different views on the newly founded U.S. government and the role of the masses(common people) in that government. During the 1790s the views of Hamilton and Jefferson would develop into two competing political ideologies and eventually form the basis of the first political parties in the U.S . The following are excerpts of Hamilton and Jefferson’s views on popular rule. Notice each man’s view of the elite and the masses. What role does each man see for the elite and the masses in government? Why?
Excerpts from Alexander Hamilton:
All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are rich and well born; the other, the mass of the people. The voice of the people has been said to be the voice of God; and however generally this maxim has been quoted and believed, it is not true in fact. The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge or determine right. Give therefore to the first class a distinct, permanent share in the government. They will check the unsteadiness of the second; and as they cannot receive any advantage by change, they will therefore maintain good government.
Can a democratic assembly who annually [through annual elections] revolve in the mass of the people, be supposed steadily to pursue the public good? Nothing but a permanent body can check the imprudence of democracy. Their turbulent and changing disposition requires checks. (1787)
Take mankind in general, they are vicious--their passions may be operated upon ... Take mankind as they are, and what are they governed by? There may be in every government a few choice spirits, who may act from more worthy motives. One great error is that we suppose mankind more honest than they are. Our-prevailing passions are ambition and interest; and it will be the duty of a-wise-government to avail itself of those passions, in order to make them subservient to the public good. (1787)
Your people, sir, are a great beast. (1792)
I have an indifferent [low] opinion of the honesty of this country, and ill foreboding as to its future system. (1783)
I said that I was affectionately attached to the republican theory ... I add that I have strong hopes for the success of that theory; but in candor. I ought also to add that I am far from being without doubts. I consider its success as yet a problem. (1792)
Philosophies and American Vision
Success founded on commerce and wealth
Strict laws
Society of rich and poor based on English model
Make America a new Europe
Advance into new technological age
Concentrate power with elite few
Feared anarchy
Championed order
Held humans as inherently flawed
Believed humans make poor choices
Supported shipping and manufacture
Excerpts from Thomas Jefferson:
Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God, if ever he had a chosen people, whose breasts he has made his particular deposit for substantial and genuine virtue. (1784)
Men ... are naturally divided into tow parties. Those who fear and distrust the people ... Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe ... depository of the public interest. (1824)
The mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. (1826)
I have such reliance on the good sense of the body of the people and the honesty of their leaders that I am not afraid of their letting things go wrong to any length in any cause. (1788)
Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights. (1789)
I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are our dependence for continued freedom. (1816)
I have great confidence in the common sense of mankind in general. (1800)
My most earnest wish is to see the republican element of popular control pushed to the maximum of its practicable exercise. I shall then believe that our government may be pure and perpetual. (1816)
Philosophies and American vision
Spread power
Feared tyranny
Championed liberty
Held hope for human spirit
Believed with education, humans could be trusted
Supported agriculture
Faming community
Mild laws
Equal opportunity
Asylum for oppresses
Preserve simplicity and
Alexander Hamilton Versus Thomas Jefferson
1. What were Hamilton's and Jefferson's different views about what type of individuals should govern society?
2. Why did Hamilton favor a commercial and industrial model for the U.S. economy? Why did Jefferson favor an agrarian model?
3. How do Jefferson's and Hamilton's respective views of representation reflect differing interpretations of republicanism?
4. Write a 1 page essay: Who had a more accurate view of the United States?
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Alien and Sedition Acts |
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Synopsis |
Less than ten years after the First Amendment was ratified, Congress passed the Sedition Act of 1798, making it a crime to criticize the government. Congress and President John Adams claimed the law was needed because the new nation seemed on the brink of war with France. The legal attempt to avoid a military crisis became a crisis for the First Amendment freedoms of speech and press. |
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Historical Narrative
The President was under fire by members of his own Federalist party, as well as from the Republican opposition. It was 1798, and the United States seemed on the brink of war. An undeclared naval war with France (or “quasi-war,” as it was called,) was already in progress in 1797 as the French seized over 300 American ships. Federalists were calling for a formal declaration of war with France. Republicans, on the other hand, were urging support for France against the British.
President John Adams, against the wishes of many within his Federalist party, wanted to avoid a formal declaration of war. The Sedition Act of 1798 was passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress in 1798 and signed into law by Adams. The law made it a crime to “stir up sedition” or publish “false, scandalous and malicious writing” against the government. (Sedition is speech that incites disloyalty or hatred of the government.)
The government claimed the Sedition Act of 1798 was a war measure, meant to quiet support for the French in their war with England. The law was also in fact designed to silence Republican critics of the Adams administration. Twenty-four journalists—all Republicans—were arrested, including the grandson of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin Bache. Ten were convicted under the Sedition Act.
The law was extremely unpopular and caused public opinion to turn sharply against the Federalists. Many, including Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, argued that laws against criticizing those in government violated the First Amendment. The First Amendment says “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”
The United States remained out of the war between France and England, which was one of Adams’s goals. The law was allowed to expire by the Republican-controlled Congress in 1801.
Comprehension and Discussion Questions
1. What was the Sedition Act of 1798?
2. Why did the federal government say the law was necessary?
3. What was the public’s reaction to the law?
4. The Sedition Act did not prevent the publication of material in advance (prior restraint) but rather punished publishers after the fact. Do you believe the law was unconstitutional? Explain.
5. Should the government have the power to restrict speech that is meant to cause disloyalty:
o If the nation is at war?
o If the nation is in an undeclared war?
o If the nation seems to be on the brink of war?
o Under any circumstances? Explain. |
Due: Thursday, 11/20
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