Did you know that the only non-presidents on US paper currency are Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton? However, Alexander Hamilton has more to do with American political history than you may realize. He changed the way the American government works and how it continues to work to this day. Hamilton lived an influential life, he had a rough childhood but was able to overcome it and rise to great things. Alexander Hamilton is an important historical figure. Alexander Hamilton had a difficult childhood. He was born on the island of Nevis, British West Indies around January 11, 1755 or 1757 (Biography.com 1). His mother was Rachel Fawcett Lavien, and his father was James Hamilton, although his mother lived with James when Alexander was born, …show more content…
It was at this time that Hamilton wrote an essay publicly defending the Boston Tea Party, and left Kings College to join in the protest against British taxes. When the Revolutionary War began, in 1775, Hamilton joined the New York Provincial Artillery Company and fought for America’s freedom, the next year with help from friends in the New York legislature, he was appointed a captain and at the Battle of Trenton, he organized his own company who kept the British from crossing the Raritan River and attacking George Washington’s main army (Biography.com 8). Washington believed that this showed a great amount of bravery from Hamilton and invited him to be his assistant, and trusted adviser a few years later, with the new rank of lieutenant colonel. Wanting to get away from his desk job Hamilton left Washington’s staff, and was married, but was later given command of a battalion with which he led into the Battle of Yorktown in 1781(DeConde 5). The American success at Battle of Yorktown lead to the signing of many treaties and agreements of peace that officially marked the end of the Revolutionary …show more content…
This led to many different conflicts especially during his political career. He had many disagreements with other politicians when they thought differently than himself, including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Aaron Burr, but one conflict that he had that did not include politics was his affair with Maria Reynolds. This affair was thought to be one of the first major scandals in the country’s history (Biography.com 30). As for the political conflicts, they mostly consisted of letters being published about the other person to humiliate them or to cause them to lose their political influence, but some ended with a duel. In the case of Thomas Jefferson, he and Hamilton had opposing views and both spent a lot of time trying to discredit the other, in the case of John Adams, Hamilton was afraid that he did not share his political views and did not want someone like that as president so he tried to sway the voting so that Adams would be vice president instead (Britannica 15). As previously stated, some conflicts would lead to a duel which is exactly what happened with Hamilton and Aaron
Hamilton thought that we should have an economy where it is business-based and was full of cities. He wanted to use the government’s powers to promote business, manufacturing, and trade. His goal was to build lots of cities so more immigrants would want to move to the U.S. Also, Hamilton wanted to establish a national bank as well as a national currency. That way they didn’t have to go through what France went through in the French Revolution just because someone liked spending money.
Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s right-hand man, was born in the West Indies. His early life was not easy. His father left him at an early age and his mother died soon after. He was orphaned at the age of eleven. He was, however, able to get a job as an apprentice of a local merchant.
Alexander Hamilton (2004), written by Ron Chernow delineates America's most disputable Founding Father. The book gives a wide perspective on early America, with top to bottom accentuation on Hamilton's whole life, achievements and his relationship to certain Founders. Prior to reading this book, I considered Hamilton to be an amazing yet oppressive man who was much of the time involved in conflicts with other Founders. I recall that he advocated a stronger central government, protectionism, mercantilism, and a national bank. Additionally, I knew that he composed parts of the Constitution and wrote the vast majority of The Federalist Papers.
Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of Treasury of the United States, had a lot going for himself being a man that came from poverty to success, and he was a man “all powerful and fails at nothing which he attempts” admitted a congressman in 1791 (Tindall and Shi). Born in the Caribbean in the West Indies, abandoned by his father and orphaned at the age of 13 by his late mother who had died. Later moved to New York, became a lawyer and transitioned to nationalism thus giving him the important role of handling the weight of the debt America had accumulated $54 million deep after the Revolutionary War (Digital History). Hamilton saw the need for some financial credit to be given to America and he had the right idea by proposing a National Bank to his first president George Washington. Word dispersed of that proposal leading a
Who is Alexander Hamilton? He is a founding father who isn’t really in your average history book. He isn’t even from our country yet he still didn’t care. The major parts of his life were his childhood, the revolution, and then what happened after the war. Hamilton’s childhood played a big part in his life.
Emily DiGiovanni Mr.Gianfredi US History 10 1 March, 2015 Aaron Burr vs Alexander Hamilton Duel The duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton is one of the most fascinating stories in US History. Burr and Hamilton strongly disliked each other for many reasons. While both were a huge part in politics, they disagreed on almost everything. This was the start of the rival between these two men.
“Alexander Hamilton, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and major author of the Federalist papers, was the United States' first secretary of the treasury” (Biography.com). From the Revolutionary War to his fatal death, Alexander Hamilton did many things throughout his life and is one of the many people that helped develop the first political party called the Federalists. All of this began on January 11th, on the island of Nevis, in the British West Indies, when Alexander Hamilton was born. The exact year of Alexander’s birth is unknown, but it is estimated that he was born in either 1755 or 1757. He was the result of an affair with his mother, Rachel Fawcett Lavine, and a Scottish trader that soon abandoned them.
According to historians, Alexander Hamilton was born on January 11, 1757. There are still doubts about how accurate this date is. Hamilton was born in St. Kitts to Rachel Fawcett and James Hamilton. He spent most of his youth on the island of St. Croix. His youth education was close to very little.
Hamilton was the first secretary of treasury of the United States which was a huge accomplishment for him. He was one of the people to convince New York to approve the U.S Constitution. Hamilton fought in a few battles because he was part of the Provincial Artillery. Alexander always
He was so loved and honored by people. “Alexander Hamilton Was the father of the National Banking System. He created the First National Bank,...” (USHistory). Hamilton was someone great.
He thought about voluntarily giving up the presidency in 1792, but with advice from his cabinet officers, he agreed to a second term (Ellis, 149). At the end of his first term, Washington asked James Madison to draft a valedictory address, because his two most trusted cabinet members, Hamilton and Jefferson, were deeply involved in partisan disputes (Ellis, 149). However, at the end of the second term, Washington called upon Hamilton to draft his address (Ellis, 150). Hamilton had Washington’s writing voice down pat, from writing correspondence for him during the Revolutionary War, and his draft read much the same as it would had Washington himself written it (Ellis,
The pamphlet is valuable in that it was written by Hamilton himself less than a decade after the incident, thus showing his views and providing a first-hand account of the affair which can be compared to the reactions it
Because of many of his radical views, he gained a lot of opposition in both the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties, and was forced to resign, yet still remained popular, with a greatly valued opinion (Brookhiser). Hamilton then lost his firstborn son (Phillip) in a duel when Phillip challenged George Eacker to uphold his father’s honor. And yet Hamilton refused to remain quiet and openly opposed Aaron Burr in the election of 1800, and worked against Burr again when the Vice President ran for New York governorship. In an attempt to heal his wounded pride, Aaron Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel, and the discredited Alexander Hamilton died the day after. (Foner).
“I think the first duty of society is justice.” -Alexander Hamilton (Brainy quotes.com) . Alexander was not only a brave man he was loyal and smart.
In 1777, Hamilton had become George Washington’s assistant. In the year of 1788 he convinced New Yorkers to ratify the U.S Constitution. He then became the secretary if the treasury. He was a founding father, served in the military, studied law, was involved in politics and government. He is also on U.S currency (10-dollar bill) who was never a president.