Which Secretary of the Treasury advocated creation of a national bank and a tariff system to pay off the national debt?

• A. George Washington
• B. Thomas Jefferson
• C. John Adams
• D. Alexander Hamilton

Answer: (D)

Alexander Hamilton, as Secretary of the Treasury, advocated creating a national bank and a tariff system to pay off the national debt. He believed a centralized financial institution was essential to stable currency, government credibility, and the ability to lend and manage funds for the whole country. The national bank would issue a uniform currency, hold federal deposits, and provide credit to stimulate growth, while tariffs would raise revenue and protect emerging American industries. This approach reflected his view of a strong federal government directing economic policy, in contrast to a more limited government preferred by some of his contemporaries. So, Hamilton is the figure behind both the national bank and the tariff plan designed to stabilize and pay down the country's debt.