Final answer:
Thomas Jefferson believed in the importance of self-sufficient, property-owning republican citizens, while Simón Bolívar emphasized the need for a strong central government and questioned the ability of Spanish Americans to govern themselves effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Jefferson and Simón Bolívar had differing views on 'the people' and their ability to rule themselves. Jefferson believed that self-sufficient, property-owning republican citizens, particularly yeoman farmers, were the key to the success of the American republic. Bolívar, on the other hand, emphasized the need for a strong central government in newly independent nations and questioned the ability of Spanish Americans to govern themselves effectively.
Jefferson's focus was on a decentralized government that empowered individuals through property ownership, while Bolívar advocated for a more centralized system of government with a powerful executive. Bolívar believed that Spanish Americans needed guidance and a strong central authority to overcome their lack of preparation for self-government.
While Jefferson aimed to close the gap between the wealthy few and the landless poor, Bolívar's policies aimed to establish a strong central government and promote unity among Spanish American nations. Jefferson's vision centered on a specific group of individuals, while Bolívar's focus was on the collective identity of Spanish Americans.