Introduction

Although they disagreed publicly in their visions and many other issues, Hamilton and Jefferson were founding fathers of the United States. Majorly, Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed on economic matters ("Whose Vision of America Won Out—Hamilton’s or Jefferson’s?", 2021). Each of them had a different argument and viewpoint, which seemed to be opposing. In his tenure as a treasury secretary, Hamilton proposed many policies that were meant to bind the people together and boost their economic and military power to surpass that of European powers.

This paper will focus on the visions of Hamilton and Jefferson and whether they believed in small or big governments, the supremacy of federal over state or state over federal.

Hamilton and Jefferson differed majorly on issues that had economic significance. This is evident in their economic vision. Hamilton championed for banks and is believed to be the architect of the National bank in the United States. His vision was founded on the ground that banks are essential in the financing of the federal government. Jefferson disputed this vision claiming that banks would elevate the bank owners in a superior position over the government.

Jefferson’s vision was different from that of Hamilton in that he believed in democracy and an empire of liberty. As a result, he proposed in his vision to initiate an agrarian society with farmers who would be independent ("Whose Vision of America Won Out—Hamilton’s or Jefferson’s?", 2021). On the contrary viewpoint, Hamilton was not convinced that an agricultural economy would pull the United States from shackles of poverty. Instead, he believed in an economy based on trade and manufacturing industries. With that vision, he proposed policies to develop the economy. These included tariffs to protect infant industries.

In conclusion, Hamilton believed in the power of the federal government over the state, while Jefferson believed in the state's supremacy over the federal. Also, both Hamilton and Jefferson trusted the people working together to build the economy. This is evident in their visions which would involve people working as a team.