Analyze how competing conceptions of national identity led to the formation of the Federalist and Republican parties. Provide reasons and evidence below.

Analysis:

The Salutary Neglect toward the American colonies by the British allowed the colonists to develop

their own form of government, which contributed to the separation of views between England and the colonies. Forms of government and its institutions established in the colonies and by the colonists

(House of Burgesses in Virginia, Town meetings) provided a sense of national identity among the

colonists, despite the fact that they were still ruled by England and not yet a nation.

The Stamp Act Congress united many of the colonies to protest against their lack of natural rights

given by England. This set a precedent for the identities of the nation to stand up for their rights and

not always follow British orders. This gave the colonies an identity that they are united, and in the

future could be independent from England.

The views of the federalists and the antifederalists showed the emergence of the competing views on

the identity of the nation’s politics post War of Independence. The antifederalists believed that the

national and political identity should have more emphasis on states-rights, whereas the federalist

vision of the nation’s politics emphasized more federal power and the supreme law. These differing

conceptions of the political identity of the United States led to certain compromises such as the bill of

rights and checks and balances.

Thomas Jefferson’s vision of the economic identity of the United States shows one of the different

views among the people during the time period. His vision of national identity consisted of a small,

agriculturally based economy with local officials and independent yeomen farmers who sustained

themselves through their own farms, which in turn would benefit the economy, however, others had

much different visions of the national and economic identity of the United States

Hamilton’s vision for America was one based on a stronger federal government. Hamilton believed

that the country’s individuals should be governed through elected officials. Furthermore, Hamilton

was in favor of federal over states’ rights. This vision is far different from Jefferson’s vision,

exemplifying the competing conceptions of national identity and what it means to be a part of the United States.

The Interpretation of the Constitution is important because it is an example of competing

conceptions of national and political identity. Much of a country’s national identity is determined by

how they are governed, therefore the interpretation of the constitution significantly contributes to

national identity. When Alexander Hamilton wanted to create the first Bank of the United States,

there was a dispute over the interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause (elastic clause).

Evidence:

Salutary Neglect: This refers to a time period during

the late colonial era when England practiced loose

political control over the colonies, thus allowing the

colonies to begin to self-govern and slowly break

away from England.

Stamp Act Congress: Consisted of 9 delegates from

different colonies, in opposition to the Sugar and

Stamp Acts passed by George Grenville, where

they discussed and moderately protested the lack and

loss of rights of the colonists, in hopes of

compromise.

Federalists vs. Antifederalists: after the war of

Independence, the Articles of Confederations

loosely held the states together. During the

Philadelphia Convention the “framers” established

the Constitution. The Federalists supported the

constitutions and the idea of a centralized national

government. The anti-federalists were skeptical of the

constitution and feared that the growth of a

centralized government would become tyrannical and

corrupt.

Jefferson’s vision of Society: Jefferson envisioned a

society with a weak central government giving more

power to state legislatures while creating an agrarian

republic. He opposed taxes on agrarian farmers, and

contested the industrializing plans of Alexander

Hamilton such as the first bank of the United States.

answer:

i have the same question