George Washington: Founding a Dual-Party System - Essay Sample

Introduction

George Washington had two advisors that he kept close in his rule as the president of America. However, from time to time, the two advisors differed in their policies. Before his death, George Washington issued cautionary words where he told his two closest friends to protect the democracy of the people. Despite the words he left them, Jefferson and Hamilton fostered the formulation of the dual party system that the U.S. operates under presently. The other men under Washington contributed significantly to the formation of the various political parties. The differences between their policies came about because Jefferson believed that the success of America lay in the agrarian traditions that belonged to the nation (Kennedy 3). In contrast, Hamilton believed that since the economy is the foundation of a country, therefore, developing the economy of the nation will result in the positive development of the country as a whole. Hamilton formulated a policy that entailed promoting manufactures and commerce to boost the economy. Hamilton and Jefferson, and their constant brawl over the state and the federal government and which should have more power over the other formed the basis of present United States.

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Jefferson differed with the policies created by Hamilton, stating strengthening the bank of the United States exhibited a lot of English influence since the English were using the same system of governance. He also argued that the constitution, in its supply for power, allocated no authority for congress to spearhead the establishment of a bank (Kennedy 183). He believed in supporting an already established agrarian base at the expense of promoting commerce and manufactures. He urged the people to let the English policies remain in England and let them use the policies that they are familiar with, the policies left by their forefathers. Hamilton was consistently flagged for deviating his policies away from the constitution, while Jefferson followed the constitution to the latter.

The central difference between the two was that Hamilton believed in a stable federal government at the expense of the state. In contrast, Jefferson thought that the state should be stronger than the federal government (Kennedy 238). Also, Hamilton thought blacks and whites were all equal, and the differences arose because of the different circumstances that that profound them. In contrast, Jefferson believed that blacks were the inferior race in terms of body and mind. Besides, Hamilton felt that is good for presidents and senators to be elected regularly while Jefferson did not approve the policy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hamilton and Jefferson's constant conflict over who is within the constitution and who is out of the constitution in policy formation led to the development of the dual party system that governs the United States. One of their most profound argument throughout history was whether the state should have power over the federal government or the federal government should have power over the state. However, this was not the only instance on which they differed in their policies, besides, Hamilton saw black people as equal to the whites while Jefferson stood firm that black people are inferior to the whites.

Work Cited

Kennedy, Roger G. Burr, Hamilton, and Jefferson: A study in character. Oxford University Press, 2000. https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=UamHsVUJXi8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=hamilton+and+jefferson&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi1iv3O1IroAhWIFMAKHYi3B9oQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=hamilton%20and%20jefferson&f=false