Alexander Hamilton vs. Thomas Jefferson

  When creating his Cabinet, George Washington turned to two of the most talented men in the country to help run the country.  Washington had known Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson for over 20 years, both men were well respected and dedicated to serving the country.  Washington's decision to have the two men on his Cabinet would seriously impact the development of the country and have consequences that he could not have foreseen.

      Alexander Hamilton was born on the Caribbean island of Nevis in 1757.  Hamilton grew up being raised by his mother and worked as a clerk to support her and his younger brother.  Following his mother's death, he was sent to America to obtain an education.  He graduated Kings College in New York City, and at the outbreak of the American Revolution he enlisted with the local militia.

      During the war he was appointed to be the aide-de-camp, or chief of staff for General George Washington.  While serving under Washington he developed a close friendship with the Marquise de Lafayette and become one of Washington's most trusted soldiers.

      Following the war, Hamilton became involved in politics and practiced law in New York City.  With a group of investors, he established the Bank of New York and became one of the city's most important citizens.  During the Constitutional Convention he wrote essays defending the need to have a strong national government to keep the country safe. Hamilton did not believe that the average citizen would be able to make good decisions and felt that the government needed to protect the people from themselves.

    As Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton encouraged President Washington to create policies that would grow industry in the United States.  Hamilton believed that the economy of the United States should be based on manufacturing and trade, like the economy of Great Britain.  If the economy of the United States was strong, Hamilton felt that the government of the United States would be strong.


    Thomas Jefferson was born on his family's plantation in Virginia on April 13, 1743.  The Jefferson family was one of the wealthiest families in Virginia.  Thomas grew up with private tutors and attended William and Mary College at the age of 16. He studied philosophy, law, and classical languages.  When the American Revolution broke out, Jefferson left his law practice to serve on the Continental Congress, as governor of Virginia, and later the Ambassador to France.

  As Secretary of State, Jefferson believed that he would be the main advisor to President Washington at Cabinet meetings.  Very quickly, Jefferson found himself often debating with Alexander Hamilton on certain issue.  Washington would try and remain neutral during these debates, but it became very clear that there was a political divide growing in the President's Cabinet with Jefferson and Hamilton emerging as the leaders.