Competing Visions Reading Notes
Competing Visions Reading Notes
Stephanie Shim
Period 5A
1. Introduction
a. Jefferson and Madison vs. Hamilton, Washington, and Adams (Federalists)
b. Jefferson and Madison advocate for farming/agriculture and expansion and have
an idealistic vision
c. Federalists are more grounded in reality, advocate for manufacturing/industry
d. French Revolution influences American events
e. War of 1812- US solidifies that its a country
f. the frontier shapes the American identity and produces nationalism, but it also
causes problems
2. Thomas Jefferson Celebrates the Virtue of the Yeoman Farmer, 1785
a. Thomas Jefferson was a racist person
b. America has a lot of land, almost seems as if it is never ending
c. Americans are people of virtue because we have access to land and work our
own land
d. if you invest in something, you will care about it
e. manufacturers are dependent on factors other than themselves, this is a negative
quality
f. wants an economy based on raw materials (makes slavery necessary)
g. Americans will be happy without refined goods, they dont need manufacturing
(unrealistic and idealistic)
3. Congress Establishes Its First Policy for Naturalization, 1790
a. someone has to live in the United States for two years to become a citizen
b. must be a good person and uphold the values in the Constitution
c. relates to the Alien and Sedition Acts
4. Alexander Hamilton Envisions a Developed American Economy, 1791
a. advocates for manufacturing, industry, innovation, diversity of talents
b. ideals similar to modern day America
c. increases in immigration (easier immigration) will lead to a larger workforce
d. manufacturing benefits farmers and the economy
e. more people will relieve a surplus of raw materials and help the economy
f. the economy relies on multiple factors
g. wants an independent country, an increase in manufacturing will allow this
because then there wouldnt be a need to buy manufactured goods from other
countries, economic nationalism
h. diverse economy
i. Hamiltons view of independence in on a much larger scale, Jeffersons view is
much smaller
j. foreign markets are unreliable, the economy will change
k. agriculture and manufacturing rely on each other
l. supply and demand is a complicated concept, Jeffersont concept of supply and
demand is much simpler
5. Thomas Jefferson Berates the Federalists, 1796
Jenna Melofsky
Stephanie Shim
Period 5A