Final answer:
The most important motive underlying Alexander Hamilton's economic program was to strengthen the power of the national government. This was achieved through promoting federal economic initiatives and leveraging the 'necessary and proper' clause to justify 'implied powers', leading to the creation of the national bank and other measures aimed at economic development and political stabilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Most Important Motive Underlying Hamilton's Economic Program
The most important motive underlying Alexander Hamilton's economic program was to strengthen the power of the national government. Through his various reports, including his Report on the Bank and Report on Manufactures, Hamilton aimed to advance the economic foundation of the United States by promoting a strong relationship between the federal government and economic interests such as manufacturing and agriculture. Hamilton and his supporters, including influential figures like Fisher Ames, Elbridge Gerry, and Theodore Sedgwick, believed in the use of broad interpretations of constitutional powers, particularly leveraging the 'necessary and proper' clause as a basis for asserting what they termed 'implied powers'. This allowed the government to engage in activities like creating a national bank, which helped stabilize the economy and secured European confidence in the U.S. economy.
Hamilton's program also led to significant debate over the size and scope of federal powers, often clashing with those who favored a more decentralized approach with stronger states' rights. The end goal of Hamilton's intense advocacy for these programs was not just economic prosperty, but also political stabilization and a demonstration of the federal government's ability to govern effectively. Thus, the national bank and initiatives for economic development were fundamental to Hamilton's vision of a robust and authoritative national government.