Research Assignment on Alexander Hamilton

Research Assignment on Alexander Hamilton

Introduction

Alexander Hamilton was one of the leading American statesmen of the Revolutionary War-era and the first years of the Republic. Hamilton was a critic of the Articles of Confederation and argued for a stronger central government. Along with John Jay and James Madison, Hamilton authored the Federalist Papers that sought to build public support for the Constitution. President George Washington appointed Hamilton to be the first secretary of the treasury, a position he held until he resigned in January 1795 (Miller, 1959). Among his recommendations were the creation of a national bank, the full payment of debts accumulated by the Continental Congress, and federal assumption of state debts. An ardent nationalist and supporter of the British system of government, he came to clash with Thomas Jefferson, who admired France and the democratic spirit of the French Revolution. Their disagreements helped lay the foundation for the party system, with Hamilton becoming a leader of the Federalist Party and Jefferson a leader of the Democratic-Republicans.

Discussion Analysis

Alexander Hamilton: Political Philosophy

A leading Federalist in the early American republic, Hamilton served as an officer in Gen. Washington's army during the Revolutionary War, as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and as the secretary of the treasury in President Washington's administration. He wrote a majority of The Federalist Papers, arguing for ratification of the new U.S. Constitution and providing the authoritative exposition of the new federal system of U.S. government. As a proponent of a powerful central government (contrary to states rights), a strong executive, and public support of industrial capitalism, Hamilton and other "high federalists" became the political opponents of Thomas Jefferson and the agrarian democrats (Kenyon, 1958).

Hamilton expressed a pessimistic view of human beings as selfish and petty. Ambition and enlightened self-interest could lead people to care about greater things, so acquisition of wealth and fame are noble. A political system that encouraged and rewarded prosperity and notoriety was the best, in his view. Most common people are unable to strive for anything above their personal desires, so democracy should be checked by aristocratic institutions that attract the better sorts of people into government. Consequently, Hamilton favored the U.S. constitutional provisions for a strong executive and Supreme Court, as well as a powerful Senate. A powerful national government would also aid in creating a wealthy country through commerce and a strong military to protect and expand the national interest. Hamilton admired the British imperialism, and he hoped to replicate those institutions in the United States (Peterson, 1986). He believed in natural rights, but after David Hume and William Blackstone, Hamilton maintained that state power is necessary to secure individual rights. He often referred to this healthy, strong government as "energy in the executive." Those fearing tyranny from the federal government resisted Hamilton's nationalism. Thomas Jefferson wished to keep most state power decentralized and limited, reserving the national regime for international affairs.

This led to a conflict over early interpretations of the ...