Final Answer:
Hamilton's economic policies, such as the assumption of state debts and protective tariffs, favored the commercial North, leading to resentment among Southerners and frontiersmen. This perception of discrimination fueled regional friction in the nation. True.
Step-by-step explanation:
The regional friction in the nation during the late 18th century was indeed dependent on the perception among southerners and frontiersmen west of the Appalachian Mountains that Alexander Hamilton's economic policies discriminated against them. This belief stemmed from the impact of Hamilton's financial programs, including the assumption of state debts, the establishment of a national bank, and the promotion of manufacturing through protective tariffs. These policies were viewed as favoring the commercial and industrial interests of the northern states, causing dissatisfaction among the agrarian South and the western frontier.
Hamilton's economic agenda had consequences that were particularly felt in the agrarian South. The assumption of state debts, for instance, disproportionately benefited states with higher debts, primarily in the North, leading to resentment in states with lower debts, mainly in the South. Additionally, protective tariffs aimed at promoting domestic industries were perceived as detrimental to Southern agricultural interests, as they increased the cost of imported goods crucial for the region's economy. As a result, the perceived bias in Hamilton's policies deepened the sectional divide, contributing to regional tensions.
Furthermore, frontiersmen west of the Appalachian Mountains were adversely affected by Hamilton's financial plans. The economic policies, including the excise tax on whiskey, placed an additional burden on these settlers who relied heavily on the production and trade of whiskey. This further fueled the perception that Hamilton's economic measures disproportionately favored the more developed eastern regions, exacerbating the regional friction. In summary, the regional discontent was a consequence of the perceived economic discrimination, solidifying the divide between the agrarian South, the western frontier, and the commercial North.