Final answer:
Alexander Hamilton's early life of hardship in the Caribbean shaped his support for a strong central government and economic growth, while Thomas Jefferson's privileged upbringing and Enlightenment influences fostered his belief in individual liberties and states’ rights. Their backgrounds influenced the formation of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties and their political ideologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early lives of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson significantly influenced their political beliefs and actions, which defined their roles in early American history. Hamilton, born out of wedlock and orphaned as a child in the Caribbean, worked his way up from poverty, which may have contributed to his belief in a strong central government that could provide order and support economic growth. This was evident during his time as the first Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington, where he advocated for federal economic policies that would strengthen the national government.
In contrast, Jefferson was born into a wealthy, aristocratic Virginia family, which provided him with a more secure and privileged upbringing. The freedom and autonomy he experienced, along with the influence of Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, were instrumental in shaping his vision of an agrarian society supported by a government that would safeguard individual liberties and states’ rights. This became a cornerstone of the Democratic-Republican Party he helped to found.
Their differing backgrounds contributed to their fundamentally opposed visions of America's future, which played out during the formation and clash of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties. Hamilton's and Jefferson's experiences can be seen in their reactions to key events, such as the Whiskey Rebellion and the French Revolution, and their support for different economic and foreign policies during Washington’s presidency.