Question

Read the excerpt from paragraph 1.

At first Hamilton and Jefferson socialized on easy terms, with little inkling that they were destined to become mortal foes. But their clash inside George Washington’s first Cabinet proved so fierce that it would spawn the two-party system in America. It also produced two divergent visions of the country that divide Americans to the present day.

Which two statements best describe ideas the writer develops in the excerpt?

Answer 1

Hamilton and Jefferson's rivalry in Washington's Cabinet led to the two-party system in America, with continuing divisions based on their distinct visions for the country.

Step-by-step explanation:

The two statements that best describe the ideas the writer develops in the excerpt are as follows: The initial cordial relationship between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson devolved into a fierce rivalry within George Washington’s Cabinet. Furthermore, the intense conflict between Hamilton and Jefferson ultimately led to the formation of the two-party system in America, creating divergent visions of the country that continue to divide Americans even to the present day.

This rivalry was not a trivial disagreement but one with far-reaching implications, for it not only shaped the political landscape during Washington's administration but also had a lasting influence on American politics and government, highlighting fundamentally different approaches to governing and the role of federal authority.

Answer 2

The writer describes how Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson's deep-seated ideological conflicts in George Washington's Cabinet led to the formation of the two-party system in America, resulting in enduring political divisions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt from paragraph 1 discusses the early relationship between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, who initially socialized amicably without knowing that they would become political adversaries. It explains how their differences in opinion within George Washington’s Cabinet were so profound that they led to the creation of the two-party system in America. This resulted in the formation of the Federalists, aligned with Hamilton's vision, and the Democratic-Republicans, led by Jefferson and Madison, which encapsulated opposing views of the nation that continue to influence American politics.

Hamilton and Jefferson initially worked together harmoniously but eventually developed rival ideologies that shaped early American politics. The clash between their visions was fundamental in laying the groundwork for the Federalist and Democratic-Republican factions. Their conflict not only birthed the two-party system but also resulted in divergent ideas about the direction of the United States, a divide that persists in American politics to this day.