Question

how did Hamilton's and Jefferson's different experiences relating to the writing of the constitution affect their roles as members of Washington's cabinet

Answer 1

Both men foresaw the US as a great future power. However, they differed on the path the nation was to follow in achieving this role. While Jefferson preferred an agrarian nation, Hamilton favored an industrial and business intensive nation. As such, Jefferson detested Hamilton's idea of a strong federal government. Jefferson wanted the bulk of power to rest with the states. These major views were behind polarizing Washington's cabinet into two distinct factions. Hamilton's followers became known as Federalists and Jefferson's Democratic-Republicans.