How did the views of Jefferson and Hamilton differ in relation to the Constitutionality of banks?

Answer 1

In general, the views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton on the application of the Constitution were quite different. In The Bank Debate, the Constitutionality of banks were argued. Jefferson believed in Strict Construction, meaning that if the Constitution didn't directly say something, then they couldn't do it, such as banks, which were not included in the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton, on the other hand, believed in Loose Construction, which meant that if the Constitution doesn't say they can't do something, they can. So to Hamilton, banks were Constitutional because they weren't mentioned in the Constitution; for Jefferson banks were unconstitutional for the same reason.