“Vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty.”
His PoliticsAs a politician, Alexander Hamilton wanted to install a stronger federal government under a new Constitution. Which was a reason why he clashed with others that had the a fear of a strong central government like Thomas Jefferson. He argued for strengthening the national government in The Continentalist essays, the two letters from Phocion, and The Federalist Papers written in collaboration with James Madison and John Jay. Within The Federalist Papers, Hamilton also defended the newly drafted Constitution. Unfortunately, his views created fierce opposition within the Washington Administration, which eventually led to the division of the administration and the country as a whole into Federalists and Antifederalists. Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury in the United States under President George Washington. As the Secretary of the Treasury he came up with the “Hamilton Plan”, which included payment of federal war bonds, the assumption of state debts by the federal government, and the creation of a way to collect taxes. To make this plan successful he helped found the first national bank, which was modeled after the Bank of England, the US Mint, and a tax collection bureau. Due to his plan, he was able to save the nation from financial ruin and created a more secure US economy. In the 1800 election for presidency, Hamilton liked neither Thomas Jefferson nor Aaron Burr, but he decided that Jefferson was the lesser of two evils and backed his presidency.
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Hamilton's Political Career at a Glance
Positions-Member of the Continental Congress
-An author of The Federalist Papers -The first Secretary of the Treasury -Served on New York Legislature -Delegate to Federal Convention |
Involvement
-Was an advocate for a strong central government
-Supported the new draft of the Constitution -Actively worked on the US economy -His federalist views helped lead to the split of the Washington Administration |
Successes
-Created First National Bank
-Made plan to end national debt from Revolutionary War -Created US Mint -Saved the nation from economic chaos |