Why Did Hamilton Fight?

During Hamilton’s student years, he wrote and published three influential pamphlets defending the colonists' cause in protesting the actions of the British government and supported recent decisions of the Continental Congress. General George Washington, the first president of the United States, took interest of his profound writings and suggested him to join the general’s military staff. At the age of twenty-two, Hamilton decided to join the staff as aide-de-camp with the rank of lieutenant colonel. In the four years of remaining in the staff, Hamilton was entrusted with making a compromise with the general, sent on many perceptive missions, and eventually made Washington's liaison with French military commanders who supported the Revolutionary

He spent much of his time writing Washington 's critical letters, and composed numerous reports on the strategic reform and restructuring of the Continental Army. Hamilton was not satisfied with a desk job so Washington soon promoted him to lieutenant colonel of the continental army(Sanders, Burns, Ades 63). In 1781 he begged for some action on the battlefield with Washington 's permission, Hamilton led a victorious charge against the British in the Battle of Yorktown. The English’s surrender during this battle lead to two major negotiations in 1783: the Treaty of Paris between the United States and Great Britain, and two treaties signed at Versailles between France and Britain and Spain.

These are all things that could have affected the Revolutionary War and our country. Eventhough, the United States was not Hamilton’s birth country he supported it and what it stood

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

Federalist # 8 The Consequences of Hostilities Between the States 1. According to Hamilton, why would war between the states of the Union be more destructive than wars in Europe? There were a few reasons why Hamilton thought that war between the states would be more destructive than wars in Europe.

Alexander Hamilton was off the battlefield for years due to Washington putting him in charge of written work, like letters or strategies to use, Hamilton grew tired of doing nothing and with Washington's permission, he was back in action. Hamilton lead a powerful blow in the battle of Yorktown against the British, this battle lead to the signing of the Treaty Of Paris and finally ended the Revolutionary War in 1783, America finally gained independence from

The campaign for the Constitution was a long one and during it Hamilton, along with John Jay and James Madison, took up the pseudonym “Publius” and wrote essays to newspapers across the nation, encouraging the public to vote in favor of ratifying the Constitution. In all, there were eighty-five essays that came to be known as “The Federalist Papers.” John Jay wrote two, Madison wrote thirty-two, and Hamilton wrote all of the remaining fifty-one. The most well known essay of the collection was Federalist No. 84, written by Hamilton, which first proposed the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution in ensure the rights of the states were honored (Foner Web; Witten Web; Hamilton Print). After the Constitution was ratified in 1787 and George Washington was elected as President in 1789, Hamilton was appointed as his Secretary of the Treasury, making him the first to hold the position.

One of the eighty-five essays was titled, Federalist 16. This essay was basically Hamilton stating his opinion on why America should stick with the constitution. He says that the government before

George Washington was leading the army at the time also. The Revolutionary War was sparked by the Quartering Act, where the colonists had to provide food and shelter for the British Soldiers. Another one of the main reasons for the war was that the colonists didn’t like the British taxations. The colonists also didn’t like all the British soldiers standing around and guarding them. They felt like they were being treated like babies.

Aaron Burr was hesitant in dueling Alexander Hamilton because he didn’t want to kill Hamilton intentionally, only wanted to prove that he was a stronger person than Hamilton, and afterwards Burr felt worse about it than feeling powerful which led Burr to not be justified in dueling Alexander Hamilton. At the time, dueling was a way to solve any problems between two people who disliked each other. Burr and Hamilton could have dealt with their problems differently then trying to duel it out. Both, Burr and Hamilton, had to prove to the citizens that one of them is much powerful and trustworthy than the other person. Many other decisions Burr made didn’t make him justified in dueling Alexander Hamilton.

During the Revolutionary War, America needed a leader. He possessed the perfect mix of qualities, such as “patience, self-discipline, administrative abilities, willingness to work hard, and faith in the American caus.” His troops were green and lacked supplies and cohesiveness, but

This is conveyed by Washington’s correspondence with Hamilton. Hamilton began his decline when Washington died. Freed of the tempered restraining influence of Washington, Hamilton’s judgment faltered. At this point, the book became almost unbearably sad. Hamilton engaged in a number of political feuds with Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and others that clouded his perspective.

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).

Soldiers that would endure the hardships and fight for the independence of themselves and their families were vital to America prevailing over the British. Washington had fought with the British in the French and Indian War. He knew the landscape and the tactics of the British Army. This proved important to the success of the

“Hamilton’s background would always set him apart and give him an outlook on life and politics the other Founding Fathers did not share”(Gordon,50). Hamilton helped shape Washington’s foreign policy. Hamilton advised Washington on the Neutrality Proclamation, which declared that America would not become entangled in affairs but be friendly with both