Which policy did Alexander Hamilton advocate?

Which policy did Alexander Hamilton advocate?

• A. Wrote The Federalist Papers
• B. Advocated creation of a national bank, assumption of state debts by the federal government, and a tariff system to pay off the national debt
• C. Led the XYZ Affair
• D. Opposed a strong central government

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is understanding Hamilton’s plan to shape the nation’s economy and strengthen the national government. Hamilton argued for a cohesive national economic system. He pushed for a national bank to establish a stable currency, manage deposits, and provide credit for growth. He also believed the federal government should assume the debts of the states from the Revolutionary War, tying states to the federal government and building national credit. Finally, he favored tariffs to raise revenue and protect and foster domestic industry, using tariff income to help pay off the national debt. This combination—a central national bank, debt assumption by the federal government, and a tariff system—was central to his approach and helped explain why he favored a stronger central government. Other options refer to actions or positions not aligned with his policy agenda: for example, the XYZ Affair occurred later under another leadership, and opposing a strong central government runs counter to his program.

The main idea being tested is understanding Hamilton’s plan to shape the nation’s economy and strengthen the national government.

Hamilton argued for a cohesive national economic system. He pushed for a national bank to establish a stable currency, manage deposits, and provide credit for growth. He also believed the federal government should assume the debts of the states from the Revolutionary War, tying states to the federal government and building national credit. Finally, he favored tariffs to raise revenue and protect and foster domestic industry, using tariff income to help pay off the national debt.

This combination—a central national bank, debt assumption by the federal government, and a tariff system—was central to his approach and helped explain why he favored a stronger central government. Other options refer to actions or positions not aligned with his policy agenda: for example, the XYZ Affair occurred later under another leadership, and opposing a strong central government runs counter to his program.