Jefferson and Hamilton Different Views of Government

Jefferson's philosophy of government was based on a strict view of the constitution, which was very different from Hamilton's philosophy of government. Jefferson was an advocate for states' rights, while Hamilton was for a strong national government.

One way to see how their views of government were so different is with the debate over the National Bank. Hamilton devised a plan for the National Bank that he thought would strengthen the economy and the federal government. It would help the economy because it would give loans to merchants, handle government funds, and issue bills of credit. Jefferson was completely against the National Bank because he believed that it was unconstitutional because the incorporation of a bank wasnt in the constitution. Another one of his arguments was with the necessary and proper clause. He didnt believe that a bank was necessary, and was only a convenience for the government to collect taxes. He argued that taxes could be collected without a bank.

Hamilton thought that the National Bank was necessary. One of his arguments for the National Bank was that it was in the power of the government to have a National Bank because the government is sovereign. He says that there is a relation between the powers of the government and creating an institution like a bank. He says there is a relation to the power of collecting taxes, borrowing money, regulating trade between states, and raising and maintaining an army.