Evaluate+Hamilton's+economic+plan+for+national+unity+in+light+of+developments+though+1833.-aH

The early United States of America was made up at different time periods of Nationalism and Sectionalism. Nationalism is defined as the unity of the country, while Sectionalism is its exact opposite, disunity of the country. Alexander Hamilton's plan to raise national unity during a time of Sectionalism was a government that supported a national bank. Today we use this national bank, but instead of being known as The Bank of United States (B.U.S), it is known as the Federal Reserve. In order to evaluate the pros and cons of Hamilton's original plan, one must analyze the way this plan affected Nationalism and/or Sectionalism. Alexander Hamilton was and is still today one of the most influential men of these United States. Without him, we would not have the reliable credit ratings that we have today. His plan to create a national bank back in the 1800's has effected every generation of the American people. His basic idea was to create a source that was reliable enough for the government to place its most valued treasure, its wealth. At the time, this creation was well thought out and fit the needs of the society. If Hamilton hadn't thought this up, we wouldn't of been able to purchase Louisiana and its territory. Napoleon offered to the U.S. the Louisiana territory for fifteen million dollars and in order to purchase this expensive property, America had to rely upon their credit. This profound credit links back to Hamilton and his Bank of the United States. The Bank of the United States influenced Nationalism by paying for the much needed infrastructure at the time. The infrastructure allowed people to move to places much more quickly and to communicate more efficiently. Hamilton's bank also made Henry Clay's "American System" possible. The Bank of the United States has influenced even today with allowing the stock exchange to happen and pointing the U.S. in the path of the Industrial Revolution. Alexander would be greatly pleased to find out that his genius plan is still being used today. The Bank of the United States was a great addition to the making of the American government. However, it wasn't always so welcomed by the citizens of the U.S. At one time, this profound plan caused Sectionalism in the states. The bank placed tariffs on the people, which were more welcomed in the North than in the South. This cold shoulder was caused by the fact that the South was paying for the North's protection of manufacturing and then competing against countries who were not tariffed. Basically, the South paid double the cost that the rest of the country was. An example of the fury performed by the Southern states is the //South Carolina Exposition// written by vice president John C. Calhoun. Another example of the fury brought out by the tariffs in general is the Whiskey Rebellion in the North. The Whiskey Rebellion was a rebellion towards the excise tax placed on the much used whiskey. Although this excise tax was unfavorable, it was needed in order for the government to pay of their debts. Also, because of Hamilton's plan the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were risen. These resolutions, written by presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, spoke of the dislike towards the excise taxes, Alien laws, and Sedition laws. Also, they claimed in these resolutions that the above should be nullified by the states, as it was in their power to do so. Although Hamilton's plan performed the act of uniting the country, it also performed Sectionalism.