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Alexander Hamilton; a life of exploits and triumphs
“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.”1 These words, expressed by Alexander Hamilton, contain the true meaning of freedom and its value, the real purpose of life when there is a cause to fight for. Our country was built by the effort of those who fought for freedom and justice, those who gave everything for a noble cause. The history of this country, embraces the exploits of the many heroes who forged this nation, a land of freedom. While studying the history of America, I was amazed by the life of Alexander Hamilton, who was one of the most important leaders of our nation. The purpose of this
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paper is to emphasize the life of Alexander Hamilton, his career as a politician and his military exploits. Personal Life Alexander Hamilton’s personal life was marked by his family drama.
It is believed that he was born on January 11th 1755 or 1757 (there is no exact date) in the Island of Nevis, British West Indies. At an early age, his father abandoned them and he had to find a job at the age of 11. The death of his mother at the age of 38, left Alexander completely impoverished, forcing him to work even harder to support himself. His fast learning ability and his determination, made him to be admired by others. Despite of his young age, Alexander became experienced in the business world as he was involved in the commerce and trade market. Hamilton came to United States when he was a teenager and he embraced the culture and traditions of this country as his own. In 1773, Alexander arrived to New York, there, he assisted to King’s College. He did not graduate from the school, instead, he joined the Patriots to protest the imposition of taxes by Great …show more content…
Britain. Military career His military career was full of exploits that proved his capacity and leadership abilities.
He joined the Revolutionary War in 1775 as a member of the Provincial Artillery Company. In 1777, Alexander became Colonel of the Continental Army and his military strategies during the independence war, put him under the command of George Washington as advisor. His victory in the battle of Yorktown, lead to the Treaty of Paris between Great Britain and United States. In all the years at the service of Washington, Hamilton noticed the weakness of the Congress, he was convinced that the only way to conquer the independence of America, was to build a strong government. His military career was paused in 1880 with the peace agreement between France and
America. Law career After leaving his position as Washington’s adviser, Hamilton started an apprenticeship in the law business. He opened his own practice in New York and there, he became famous among the British Loyalists. Hamilton defended the Loyalists against the Rebels after the Revolutionary war ended. In 1784, he participated in a very important case in favor of the Loyalists, later that same year, he was one of the founders of the Bank of New York. The Law career, gave Hamilton fame and reputation among the political parties. His job as an advisor in the battle field was one of the most decisive factors in his successful career as a lawyer. Even after his retirement from the political world, Hamilton kept advocating for the public rights. Political career Before becoming a lawyer, Hamilton was involved in the political world. His job as George Washington’s advisor gave him the opportunity to develop his writer skills, during this time he wrote some reports to restructure the Continental Army. In 1787, being delegate of New York, Hamilton reunited with other delegates to discuss the Articles of the Confederation, which he thought were not strong enough to build a powerful nation. After a long effort to convince all the delegates on the approval of the Constitution, Hamilton finally reached his goal. When George Washington became president of the United States in 1789, Hamilton was named Secretary of Treasury due to his excellent work as advisor during the war. During this time, Hamilton advocated for new policies to free the nation from the debt caused by the American Revolution. The collection of taxes was one of these policies. Hamilton retired from the Secretary of Treasury in 1795, leaving behind a stronger economy and a better organized country free of debt. Family and death The life of Hamilton was intense and short, however, he made history and left a legacy to this country. In 1780, Hamilton married Elizabeth Schuyler, she was the daughter of a general named Philip Schuyler, who fought in the Revolutionary War. Alexander and Elizabeth had eight children and it is said they enjoyed their life together despite of the extra matrimonial affair he had once with another woman2. Tragedy surrounded his death due to his political affiliations. In the 1800’s presidential elections, where the candidates were Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, Hamilton supported Jefferson’ campaign, causing discrepancy between Burr and Jefferson. Burr became vice-president while Jefferson became the president. In 1804 when Jefferson ran for president for the second time, Burr was eliminated from the campaign and sought for Hamilton’s support, but Hamilton refused to help him. Being excluded from the political society, Burr tried to blame Hamilton for his failure. His anger grew even more when he read a newspaper’s article written by Hamilton in which referred to Burr as “the most unfit and dangerous man of the community”3. Burr could not take this comment and felt that Hamilton was ruining his political career, so he challenged Alexander to a duel. Such duel had place in New Jersey on July 11th, 1804. During the duel, Hamilton was deadly wounded and taken back to New York. The day after the duel Alexander Hamilton died in New York. Alexander Hamilton was one of the most influential man in the history of the United States. His military and his political contribution to this country, forged the bases of the society nowadays. Hamilton advocated for a society with equality and rights for everybody. He worked hard to build a nation of freedom, his work as a writer supported his believing in the American Revolution. His legacy for this society is a proof of his hard work and successful career as a politician. Despite of his turbulent life and his early death, Hamilton became a hero for this country, he fought for what he believed was right and his contribution to the American history is admirable.
Alexander Hamilton was born on Nevis in the British West Indies. He was born on January 11 1755 or 1757. Rachel Fawcett and James Hamilton were his parents. His father left him and his mother when he was only ten. He had to get a job at 11 to support his family. When he was twelve his mom got sick and died. Alexander then moved in with his cousin, but sadly the cousin committed suicide. After the cousins death,
Hamilton believed that an alliance with France at the expense of a relationship with England would have been a disaster for his economic plan. Jefferson believed that America was obligated to help France. Though, both Hamilton and Jefferson eventually agreed that neutrality was best, they did not agree on how to declare it. Hamilton wanted Washington to publicly declare that the United States would stay out of the war. Jefferson believed that congress should declare neutrality.
Alexander Hamilton wanted to promote commerce and industry through a strong central government. He also would diversify American economic life by encouraging shipping and creating manufacturing through legislative directives. Hamilton also believed that a republican style of government could only succeed by the direction of a governing class.
Have you ever heard about George Washington? George Washington, the first president of America, was born in 1732, and served as Commander in the Continental Army as well during the American Revolution. He dedicated his whole life for establish a nation. When George Washington decided to step down at the end of his second term in 1796, he published letter across the country to let nation see his last words. Cautionary and patriotic diction, homey metaphors, modes of persuasion, complex sentences, and compound sentences combine to create Washington’s concern for the people of America about preserving the liberties necessary
"Teaching History.org, Home of the National History Education Clearinghouse." Jefferson versus Hamilton. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. .
Everyone has heard the name Alexander Hamilton, but few are familiar with his views and actions regarding the survival of the young American republic. He could be recognized for anything from serving our fledgling country by fighting in the New York militia; to serving his community as a lawyer and as a national tax agent; to beginning his political career as a representative for New York at the National Congress. Though most would agree his most important contribution to our struggling republic was to spearhead the project which formed the doctrine helping to establish the foundation in which modern democracy is based, the Articles of Confederation.
The day that Alexander Hamilton was first placed into the United States Government would be the day which would forever change our nation. The time when he would start and create a fantastic economy out of scratch. He did it with one brilliant five point plan. But there were three parts of the plan which were the body of this project. These were the assumption of state debt, the whiskey tax, and the construction of a national bank. All of these together would enhance our economy, before the tyrant Jackson would destroy them (bank). Nevertheless, his plan dealt with and solved the tough issues such as federal debt, government money supply, and economical shape throughout our nation. So for these answers he gave to our people, we must be grateful
Of the many figures in American History, Alexander Hamilton has proven himself one of the most versatile and influential. His policies and ideals have helped the United States blossom into a prosperous world power. Through his power as secretary of Treasury and his convincing intellectual efforts, he was able to dominate the nations early political environment. Hamilton’s patriotic endeavors have proven themselves to be durable and in the best interests of the United States.
All the presidents in the past have played an important part in shaping our country the way it is today. Either for better or for worse. James Madison is one of the presidents which made a difference for the better and probably did some of the best actions for our country. He did his job with pride for The United States of America and he did his job humbly with efficiency. That is why I look up to this American Hero.
Alexander Hamilton was born a bastard child in the West Indies and demonstrated great intellectual potential at an early age. He was sent to New York City for schooling and studied at King’s College, now Columbia University. His vision of America took a more capitalistic tone and “he was determined to transform an economically weak and fractious cluster of states into a powerful global force” (Tindall & Shi, 2010). Hamilton advocated a strong central government. He was bold and persuasive and his philosophies quite extraordinary for his time.
Thomas Jefferson by Norman Risjord is a biography of the third president of the United States that takes Thomas Jefferson from his youth through his later years in the early 19th century. The purpose of this book is to give a political and social overview of the Thomas Jefferson's life and career. It was written for both the student of American history and the casual reader interested in the genesis of the United States government, seen through the eyes of one of its founding fathers. The value of this book is that it shows that Jefferson was not a saint, yet he was one of the most intelligent presidents that the country has ever had. Risjord has given the book great value because he has framed Jefferson among his peers. Consequently, the book truly comes to life, and the reader is able to learn about Jefferson as well as his contemporaries James Madison, John Marshall, and John Adams.
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...
Both Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were prominent members of society during the era after the revolution. Yet while these two men came from similar backgrounds and both believed in liberty and independence, neither of the two men could stand each other. This was mainly due to the fact that the two men had radically different views on various subjects, and neither was willing to give up or alter their view. Alexander Hamilton, one of the most important people of the time, was the first Secretary of the Treasury. Utilising federal power to modernize the nation, he convinced Congress to use an elastic interpretation of the Constitution to pass laws that Jefferson deemed unconstitutional.
Alexander Hamilton was disliked by many people but, he is now popular because of a hit Broadway show created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Hamilton was born on January 11, 1755 or 1757 in Charleston, Nevis in the British West Indies. He was abandoned by his father which made him an orphan at the age of 13. Hamilton started attending school in Elizabethtown, New Jersey but, plans changed, and he entered Kings College. At the age of 17 he was already interested in government. Later, in 1776 he was introduced to George Washington. He became Washington’s advisor not long after that. Some main events that changed Hamilton’s life were his family, his accomplishments, and George Washington.
Alexander Hamilton was born as a British subject on the island of Nevis in the West Indies on the 11th of January 1755. His father, James Hamilton -- Scottish merchant of St. Christopher – was the younger son of a minor Scottish noble. His mother, Rachel Fawcett Levine was married a Danish proprietor of St. Croix named John Michael Levine. Ms. Levine left her husband John and was later divorced from him on June 25, 1759, two years after Alexander was born. His parents soon separated. However, Alexander grew up with his mother and his brother James, living on the ragged edge of poverty. He had no further contact with his father, and when his mother died in 1768, he became an orphan at the age of 11 (Hamilton).