My reading suggests that the main disagreements among the framers of the US Constitution (the “Founding Fathers” phrase is a bit too hagiographic for my taste) had to do with regional rivalry and the degree of centralization of power—concerns which I wouldn’t call modern as such, but could fairly be described as perennial. (Compare the modern urban vs. rural distinction, which drives most of the red vs. blue state divide.) Slavery factored into this, but mainly as a factor informing regional differences—it wouldn’t reach its ultimate apocalyptic nation-breaking significance until westward expansion had started in earnest and the abolition movement gained some steam. I’m unaware of any significant disputes over industrialization in early US politics.
Should have been more precise. I was talking about the roughly 10-year period between independence and the acceptance of the US Constitution. The 1790s are early in the nation’s history, all right, but that was a period of very rapid evolution in US politics.
You may know your American history better than I, but I do remember some nascent concerns over whether industry and finance could gain too much power versus the agricultural sector.
My reading suggests that the main disagreements among the framers of the US Constitution (the “Founding Fathers” phrase is a bit too hagiographic for my taste) had to do with regional rivalry and the degree of centralization of power—concerns which I wouldn’t call modern as such, but could fairly be described as perennial. (Compare the modern urban vs. rural distinction, which drives most of the red vs. blue state divide.) Slavery factored into this, but mainly as a factor informing regional differences—it wouldn’t reach its ultimate apocalyptic nation-breaking significance until westward expansion had started in earnest and the abolition movement gained some steam. I’m unaware of any significant disputes over industrialization in early US politics.
Hamilton vs Jefferson comes to mind.
I thought that didn’t happen until a decade or so later?
That doesn’t qualify as “early”?
Should have been more precise. I was talking about the roughly 10-year period between independence and the acceptance of the US Constitution. The 1790s are early in the nation’s history, all right, but that was a period of very rapid evolution in US politics.
You may know your American history better than I, but I do remember some nascent concerns over whether industry and finance could gain too much power versus the agricultural sector.
It’s entirely possible I’m just wrong, though.
...Tolkien..? :-D
I believe Nornagest counted that under urban versus rural.