The Burr Conspiracy

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The Burr Conspiracy

I. Introduction

The events surrounding the “Burr Conspiracy” were among the first tests of the effectiveness of the United States democracy.

II. Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr was born in Newark New Jersey on February 6, 1756, and Burr was educated at what is now Princeton University. Burr joined the Continental Army in 1775, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Burr was appointed attorney general of New York in 1789 and served as a United States senator from 1791 to 1797 (Onager CD-ROM). In the Election of 1800, Aaron Burr was the running mate of Republican candidate Thomas Jefferson. Although Burr was running for vice-president, he received as many votes as Jefferson did, and the House of Representatives chose Jefferson as president. After Burr’s term as vice-president was over and he lost the race for the governorship of New York, Burr fought Alexander Hamilton in a duel in Weekawhen, New Jersey, on July 11,1804. Aaron Burr killed his political rival, Alexander Hamilton, and his credibility as a politician in that duel. Shortly after the duel, Aaron Burr became involved in a plot known as the Burr Conspiracy. After the scheme was discovered by Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr was arrested for treason. Burr was acquitted after a six-month trial on September 1, 1807.

III. Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton was born as an illegitimate child on the Island of Nevis on January 11, 1757. Alexander Hamilton was educated at what is now Columbia University. Hamilton served as a soldier and Washington’s personal secretary during the Revolutionary War. After the Revolutionary War, he studied law in New York and served in the Continental Congress from 1782-1783(Onager CD-ROM). In 1787 Hamilton...

... middle of paper ...

...titution’s definition of treason, on September 1, 1807.

X. Conclusion

The “Burr Conspiracy” proved the effectiveness of America’s government (people disliked by the government could not be eliminated by a charge of treason due to the checks and balances of the American government), and revealed possible threats to national unity.

Bibliography:

Works Cited

Henretta, James A., Brownlee Elliot W., Brody David, Ware Susan,

And Johnson Marilynn S. America’s History. New York: Worth, 1997.

Daniels, Jonathan. Ordeal of Ambition. New York: Doubleday and

Company, 1970.

Onager, Daniel. “Aaron Burr.” Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia.

CD-Rom. Redmond: Microsoft, 1999.

Chandler, David Leon. The Jefferson Conspiracies. New York:

William Morrow,1994.

Abernethy, Thomas Perkins. The Burr Conspiracy. New York:

Oxford University Press, 1954.

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