First, the delegates set out to revise the Articles of Confederation to weaken the power of the state legislatures and increase the powers of the central government. Delegates also sought changes in the ways states were represented in the federal government and introduced the concept of separation of powers to create a system of checks and balances. Debates between federalism and republicanism brewed during the Constitutional Convention, as delegates like Alexander Hamilton favored an exceedingly strong executive branch whereas traditional republicans hoped for term limits for elected officials. Compromise was a must and the Constitution of the United States reflects the confluence of republican and federalist values.
Second, the delegates heatedly debated the question of how to deal with slavery. An abolitionist movement had taken root in Europe and delegates were forced to address concerns about the international and inter-state slave trade. Once again, delegates were forced to reach compromise over the slavery issue.
Third, delegates outlined the means by which to elect the President. The Connecticut Compromise put off having to decide term limits for the president just as the Constitutional Convention also failed to clarify a stance on slavery.
3. Compare Hamilton and Jefferson in their political and economic philosophies and their concept of federalism.
Alexander Hamilton favored a strong central government that would efficiently regulate trade in the best economic interests of the nation. He argued that the national debt could not possibly be paid off without the aid of a strong central government, because the weak Articles of Confederation failed to provide impetus for state contributions to federal coffers. The economic and industrial development of the United States depended on a centralized system of taxation and trade regulation, according to Hamilton. Hamilton also advocated the creation of a federal banking system and a unified system of credit for investors.
Hamilton's Federalist views were denounced...
Jefferson's anti-federalist views were inspired by a deep mistrust of elitist governmental authority, which can too easily lead to oppressive state regimes. Keeping with his beliefs, Jefferson opposed a national banking system and his refusal to take part in the Constitutional Convention was in part due to his belief in states' rights over an authoritative federal government. Hamilton did take part in the Convention in Philadelphia and had a huge impact on the outcome of the constitution.
Hamilton's views were incorporated into the Constitution of the United States but his brand of federalism was tempered significantly by the more moderate ideas of men like James Madison. For example, Hamilton proposed that presidents be elected for life (Lloyd 2006). Without a strong central government embedded into the Constitution, the United States would not have become the economic and military powerhouse that it did throughout the course of the following several hundred years. At the same time, the system of checks and balances and separation of powers also permits for relatively open dialogues and prevents the powers of the federal government from becoming too far out of hand. Hamiltonian federalism might have become dangerous without the tempering of the more modest founding fathers. Hamilton therefore did not have an inordinate amount of influence on the administrations of the first two presidents but his policies succeeded in creating a strong nation out of what could easily have devolved into a series of smaller nation-states.
References
Articles of Confederation." MSN Encarta. Retrieved Oct 13, 2006 at http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761567227
Hamilton vs. Jefferson." Retrieved Oct 13, 2006 at http://countrystudies.us/united-states/history-41.htm
Lloyd, G. (2006). "Introduction to the Constitutional Convention." Teaching American History.org. Retrieved Oct 13, 2006 at http://teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/intro.html
