Hamilton: Makin' it Rain

Do we really worship Jefferson while living in a more Hamilton influenced nation? Jefferson is a more well-known figure, having been president and writing the Declaration of Independence. However, Hamilton contributed more to the formation of the nation.

The Case For Thomas Jefferson: As president, Jefferson did a lot for our new nation. He purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon's France, and starting the Lewis and Clark Expeditions. However, none of these changes still have an impact on our society. He was, however, a big advocate of personal liberties and not letting the government get in the way of life. This was also shown in his hatred of the British and their monarchy.
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The Case Against Thomas Jefferson: Jefferson was also a very controversial figure. He was an advocate for more rights and freedom and equality of slaves while he owned hundreds of slaves himself. He also tried to destroy central government and put back into effect the Articles of Confederation, giving each state more power over the federal government. Furthermore, Jefferson wanted to decentralize the country and have an agricultural nation where each man supported himself, tying in with his disapproval of banks.

The Case For Alexander Hamilton: Whereas Jefferson was the Governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War, Hamilton rose through the ranks as a soldier actively fighting the British. Also, Hamilton's distinguished career as Secretary of the Treasury saved the new nation from collapse. His federal debt plans, national bank, and taxes helped stabilize the new US economy. He also helped establish the Federalist political party.  
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The Case Against Alexander Hamilton: Not all of Hamilton’s actions were successful, however. For instance, he imposed a tax on alcohol, which led to a small scale rebellion. He also admired Britain and their control, and therefore disliked the French Revolution.

Who do we like?

While the general public may prefer Jefferson to Hamilton, to my eyes both figures seem equally likeable and unlikable. Jefferson could be seen as more of a national hero than Hamilton, having been a founding father and drafter of the Declaration of Independence. I like Jefferson’s social views on liberty and rights, although I don’t agree with his anti-federalist views. I also appreciate what he did to expand the country and move our thoughts westward, although he wanted this land to be farmed. I am a promoter of farming, although I don’t see a farm-based nation working for a country always trying to find new innovations.

                Hamilton is for me a more likable individual, having fought actively for liberty on the battlefield. He is more of a common person who manifested his own destiny, being a real life example of the American ideal. He also played a crucial part in stabilizing the new nation; we may not have survived without him. I believe that most if not all of Hamilton’s actions were for the good of the nation as a whole. Jefferson wanted to help the individual by not letting the government become active enough. I disagree, because without a central government, state and local level governments may be insufficient to deal with unrest such as Shay’s Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion. A stronger central government would have more success keeping the people in order while maintaining more than enough personal liberty with the Bill of Rights.

                So, where we may see Jefferson as being more of a national hero, there are many points in Hamilton’s life and career that make him just as amiable, perhaps a little more so.

Who influences us more today?

                Most of Thomas Jefferson’s ideas of a weak central government and a farming, self-sustained nation never became reality. His major accomplishments like the Louisiana purchase may have shaped our nation but don’t still influence it. I think his biggest influence was that set by his Lewis and Clark expeditions, starting the fire that burned inside the hearts of pioneers and adventurers. However, this influence does not have a large effect on today’s society, seeing as we have already settled most of what our country has to offer.

                Hamilton’s financial plans and political actions can still be seen today in our economy and government. Banks are currently a crucial part of our monetary system, and federal debt initiatives are still in use today. Also, our government is more centralized than not, and although many believe that some of their rights are being infringed, on a whole we have much of the personal liberty that Jefferson advocated, also without an agricultural society.

                On a whole we are more influenced by the work of Hamilton than that of Jefferson, but I think mainly because as Secretary of Treasury in our nation’s youth and in a bad economy, he had more of a role influencing the nation than Jefferson may have had.

Summary: Maybe many worship Jefferson as more of a father to the nation, but when it comes to the individual and lasting effects on the nation, I believe that Hamilton has him beat.