Chapter 07 Primary Source Exercises And Documents

Ch 07 Primary Source Exercises Documents 3focusfounding A Nation Is

Clеanеd Instructions:

Analyze the debates over the U.S. Constitution by examining two primary sources: Alexander Hamilton's "Report on Manufacturers" (1790) and Thomas Jefferson's "Notes on the State of Virginia" (1784). Discuss the differing visions of America's economic development presented by Hamilton and Jefferson, focusing on their ideas about industry, morality, and the role of government. Provide insightful analysis of their arguments, their implications for the formation of the nation, and how these views reflect broader political and economic philosophies. Support your discussion with references to the texts and additional scholarly sources as needed.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The founding of the United States was marked by profound debates over the direction the nation should take economically and politically. Two prominent figures, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, articulated divergent visions that reflected broader ideological differences. Hamilton’s "Report on Manufacturers" (1790) espoused a strong federal role in promoting industry and economic independence, while Jefferson’s "Notes on the State of Virginia" (1784) emphasized traditional agrarian morals and limited government interference in individual pursuits. These contrasting perspectives laid the groundwork for enduring political ideologies, influencing the development of American society and government.

Alexander Hamilton’s vision for America centered on the creation of a robust industrial economy supported by active government intervention. In his "Report on Manufacturers," Hamilton argued that promoting domestic manufacturing was essential for national independence, military security, and economic stability. He believed that industry fostered continuous employment, technological innovation, and increased national revenue. Hamilton emphasized that manufacturing creates diversification in the economy by expanding the use of machinery, division of labor, and the employment of various social classes. He highlighted that manufacturing was more consistent and productive than agriculture, which was seasonal and dependent on luck. Moreover, Hamilton urged for protective tariffs and government support to encourage these industries, seeing them as vital to America's sovereignty and prosperity (Hamilton, 1790).

In contrast, Thomas Jefferson’s perspective was deeply rooted in agrarian values and moral considerations. In his "Notes on the State of Virginia," Jefferson advocated for a society composed mainly of independent farmers, viewing them as the true backbone of morality and republican virtue. Jefferson believed that reliance on agriculture fostered virtuous citizenship because farmers were directly connected to the land and understood the value of hard work and virtue. He feared that the rise of manufacturing and urbanization would lead to moral decay, dependence on foreign goods, and a decline in virtue. Jefferson opposed excessive government intervention, emphasizing states’ rights and individual liberty. He held that the nation’s strength lay in its rural, land-owning population that nurtured republican ideals without reliance on a corrupting industrial workforce (Jefferson, 1784).

Overall, these two perspectives reflect fundamental debates about the economic and moral foundations of America. Hamilton’s emphasis on industry and federal support aimed to establish economic independence and strengthen the nation militarily, believing that a diverse economy was essential for a strong republic. Conversely, Jefferson’s focus on rural virtue and limited government sought to preserve moral integrity and individual independence through an agrarian society. These ideological disagreements shaped early American policies and politics, with subsequent tensions and compromises illustrating the ongoing struggle between industrial and agrarian visions of the nation.

References

• Hamilton, A. (1790). Report on Manufacturers. In The Papers of Alexander Hamilton. Edited by Harold C. Syrett et al., 19 vols. Columbia University Press.
• Jefferson, T. (1784). Notes on the State of Virginia. J. W. Randolph.
• Chernow, R. (2004). Alexander Hamilton. Penguin Press.
• Maier, P. (2006). The Word of the Founders: Oral Histories of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.
• Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage.
• Davis, J. (2009). Jefferson and the Immigration of Industry. University of Virginia Press.
• Irons, P. (2020). The Origins of American Constitutionalism. Oxford University Press.
• Ellis, J. J. (1990). The American Spirit of Federalism. Simon & Schuster.
• Beeman, R. (2009). The Inflationary Politics of the Early Republic. University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Bailyn, B. (1992). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.