American History

American History I

U.S. History to Reconstruction

HIS-131

Contesting Visions: Jefferson v. Hamilton Founding the Political Economy of the Early American Republic

Thomas Jefferson

Alexander Hamilton

Introduction:

The early years of the American Republic were filled with excitement, possibilities, and

uncertainly. The nation’s leaders were expected to establish foundational political policies to

influence the economic direction of the new nation; or, the country’s “political economy”.

However, the men who are collectively known as America’s “Found Fathers” rarely shared a

consensus for the new nation. Personal interests, political affiliation, sectional identity, and

numerous other considerations influenced what the founders saw as the best course for the

country. The divisiveness of the Early Republic’s political economy is best typified by the

founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.

Assignment:

Using the primary sources provided, evaluate the policies proposed by Alexander Hamilton and

Thomas Jefferson and explain which approach you see as the best course for the new nation. In

developing a response, articulate the primary goal of each Founding Father’s political economy,

identify how they differ, and analyze the primary sources to explain your assessment. Be sure

your submission focuses on the time period in question; the Early Republic (roughly 1776 –

1824).

Due Date:

See BlackBoard

Late papers will not be accepted.

Readings:

Of the People: A History of the United States, Vol. 1: To 1877, Oakes, McGerr, Lewis, et. al.

(New York: Oxford University Press, 2013).

Cite as: (Oakes, page #).

“Alexander Hamilton for the Bank,” February 26, 1791.

Cite as: (Hamilton, Bank).

“Alexander Hamilton Report on Public Credit,” January 9, 1790.

Cite as: (Hamilton, Credit).

“Alexander Hamilton Report on Manufactures,” December 5, 1791.

Cite as: (Hamilton, Manufactures).

“Jefferson and Madison on Republican Political Economy”

Cite as: individual letters, see document for examples.

“Jefferson’s Opinion on the Constitutionality of a National Bank,” 1791.

Cite as: (Jefferson, Bank).

“Jeffersonian Vision, Letters of President Thomas Jefferson”

Cite as: individual letters, see document for examples.

“Virginia’s Remonstrance Against the Assumption of the State Debts,” December 16, 1790.

Cite as: (Virginia Remonstrance).

Formatting:

• 2-4 pages in length.

• Use MLA guidelines.

• Double-space your essay.

• Only use the assigned readings.

• Your heading should include your name, course and section number, and semester and year (do not double space your heading).

• Page margins should be 1 inch on all sides.

• Include a page number at the bottom of each page.

• Font: “Times New Roman”.

• Provide proper in text parenthetical citations; use the format as seen above.

• Font size: 12.

• All work should be an original product.

Submission:

• Turn your paper in through the digital drop-box in Blackboard.

• Late papers will not be accepted.

• You may only submit your paper once (make sure it is your final draft).

• Your paper must be submitted as a single file (no PDFs).

Assessment:

Your paper will be evaluated style and content understanding. Below is a description of how the

assignment will be assessed.

Total Points: 100 Value Category Description

0-5 Thesis Easily identifiable, plausible, crystal clear, directly

relates to the question.

0-15 Introduction/Conclusion Clearly defined, proper structure, relevant material,

appropriate style.

0-15 Body Structure Evident, understandable, appropriate for thesis,

transitions from point to point. Paragraphs support

solid topic sentences.

0-15 Understanding of Material Understands the material, factually correct, and can

relate to broader points.

0-20 Use of Evidence Source information used to support points. Examples

support and fit within paragraph. Integration of

quoted material and/or specific examples into work.

0-20 Analysis Author clearly relates evidence to topic sentence and

supports thesis. Provides distinct insights when

evaluating both primary and secondary sources.

0-10 Mechanics General readability, paper formatting, sentence

structure, grammar, and diction; use of punctuation

and citations.