Thomas Jefferson: the Third President of the United States - Essay Example

Jefferson is widely known as one of the founders of Republicanism in the United States of America. He ran for the presidency in the 1800s and was derided as the “Negro President”. Jefferson assumed the presidency for two terms and was closely involved in keeping the US from engaging in Napoleon’s wars. As the third president of the United States, Jefferson envisioned that his country has full liberty by championing the rights of the states. He propositioned that the most dangerous threat to people’s liberty is the government.

Hence, it (liberty) should be upheld and protected at all times. He declared that if “laws do not protect liberty, then these laws are not legitimate”. Alexander Hamilton, on the other hand, is regarded as one of America’s constitutional lawyers and is considered as the founding father of Federalism, opposing Thomas Jefferson’s republicanism. He was born in 1755 in the British West Indies and died in 1804 after engaging in a duel with his opponent, Aaron Burr. Hamilton held the position as the first secretary of the United States Treasury and made possible a strong financial footing for the country.

He advocates the strengthening of Congress and making efficient the executive departments, and make sound credits to encourage foreign and domestic investments. Alexander’s vision of the United States was to become a superpower over all other countries with a very strong economic foundation.