The Federal Legacy of Hamilton and Jefferson: Impact on American Individuals

Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton–two of essentially the most influential Founding Fathers–were additionally fierce rivals with two opposing political philosophies and two radically totally different visions for America.

While Jefferson remains a prominent figure, it is Hamilton's enduring political legacy that has prevailed - reshaping the federal government into a powerful entity that our forefathers resisted during the American Revolution. How did we transition from Jefferson's vision of limited government to Hamilton's expansive system? Renowned economic historian Thomas J. DiLorenzo sheds light on how Hamilton, from his role at the Constitutional Convention to becoming the nation's influential first treasury secretary, skillfully advanced a nationalist and interventionist agenda. These principles outlived Hamilton, persisting through his political successors even after his fatal duel with Aaron Burr.

The Hamiltonian legacy shifted control to the federal government, introducing the concept of the Constitution's "implied powers" and transforming state governments from Jeffersonian defenders of liberty to reliant on federal support. It established a national banking system that influenced economic cycles, burdened Americans with significant debt and high taxes, and implemented policies favoring the wealthy. This led to a government system characterized by corruption and favoritism.

By dispelling the myths surrounding Hamilton's legacy, DiLorenzo sheds light on a stark reality: Americans are not in control of their government but rather at its mercy. Only by reinstating a federal system grounded in Jeffersonian principles can we break free from Hamilton's influence once and for all.