Alexander Hamilton??? how would he respond to these?

Question

1.React to the following statement:

Individual rights are more important than the wishes of the majority.

2.Citing the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution, Congress has decided to make a national system of education. What are your feelings about this?

3.What group of people do you consider to be the backbone of American society—wealthy businessmen or farmers? Why?

4.How do you feel about the creation of a National Bank? Explain.

5.Which European nation should America have as its closest ally? Why?

Answer 1

1.  Strong believer in individual rights.  Didn't understand why America fought so hard for liberty only to give government the freedom they won.

2.  Hamilton probably wouldn't be happy about a national education system.  He was such a strong believer in the elite, his thoughts were probably that only those with status should attend school so they can carry on their familys' legacy of being educated, wealthy, and contributing to the economy.  Also, having to fund an education system would be an extra financial burden on the country.

3.  Only the wealthy and those with status should be involved in politics because they were educated and had more of a vested interest in the success of a government than farmers.  Hamilton believed that business and manufacturing (as opposed to agriculture) would make the country strong economically.  

4.  Hamilton is the one who proposed creating a National Bank while he was Secretary of Treasury.  He believed that it was necessary to stimulate the economy.  Basically, the bank would be able to lend the government money (and hold its deposits), it would create a uniform national currency (rather than each colony having their own monetary system), and promote business and industry by extending credit.

5.  England.  He admired the aristocratic model (though didn't agree with all the power their government held), believed the wealth of England could help stimulate the economy (through trade agreements) and, to some degree, be able to keep a close eye on them (as he worked out in Jay's Treaty).