Alexander Hamilton and the Formation of American Government In the United States during the late 18th century, the American Colonies were struggling with their identity. The Revolutionary War had won Americans their collective freedom, but the best way to exercise it was the subject of much debate. One American, Alexander Hamilton, felt a need for a common, strong economic and political base for the states. This ideology stemmed from both his boyhood on the Island of St. Croix, and trying events during the Revolutionary War- influences that would later be instrumental in his publishing of the Federalist Papers. Hamilton's boyhood on St. Croix was not that of a typical founding father. His mother took him and fled their home after his father refused a divorce, putting a label on his mother and his family wherever they went. This constant feeling of inferiority instilled in Hamilton a drive to succeed, and his way of feeding this drive was constant study. In fact, when he was deciding on colleges after coming to the United States, a major criterion was the college's willingness to allow him to cram work into a smaller time frame thus allowing him to graduate earlier (Decarolis 125). As a result he would eventually become one of the nation's most learned men; this, he felt, obligated him to publish The Federalist Papers and other works that showed the ideology he had derived from his studies. St. Croix also had an impact on his political views later in life. The island was fueled by the slave trade and sugar plantations. On the surface one might see the basis for Hamilton's hatred for the institution, as a slave on a sugar plantation was subject to the most inhumane treatment of any during that period (Decarolis 77). Also, th... ... middle of paper ... ...eandt, Dennis. "The American Miracle." The New American, 16 Dec. 2002: 27. Bigchalk Library. Proquest. Centreville Hs Lib.; Clifton, Va. 14 May. 2005 www.library.bigchalk.com. Chernow, Ron. Alexander Hamilton. New York:Penguin Press, 2004. Cutler, Llyod N. "If it aint broke keep your amendments off my constitution." Washington Monthly, 1 Sept. 1997. Bigchalk Library. Proquest. Centreville Hs Lib.; Clifton, Va. 12 May. 2005 www.library.bigchalk.com. "Decarolis, Lisa M."A Biography Of Alexander Hamilton. 3 Jun. 2003. Department of Humanities. 12 May. 2005. http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/B/hamilton/hamilzz.htm. Harper, John. American Machiavelli : Alexander Hamilton and the Origins of U.S. Foreign Policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Randell, Willard Sterne. Alexander Hamilton: A Life. New York: Harper Collins, 2003.
...hat he formed to control smuggling, which has since grown and evolved as the United States coast guard (Mitchell 181). Hamilton has made many lasting contributions to help the development of the United States economy. Hamilton wanted an industrialized economy. To help achieve this he supported taxes on foreign goods, encouraging growth of American Industry. Through supporting tariffs on foreign goods, Hamilton supported economic infrastructure, and advocated a nationally directed, controlled economy, in the interest of foreign enterprise (Morris 130). Hamilton clearly envisioned the nations potential as an economic power, and took great impetus in shaping economic infrastructure.
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.
As a federalist Alexander Hamilton wanted to establish a stronger federal government under a new Constitution. He met in Philadelphia with other delegates to discuss how to fix the Articles of Confederation that created a weak central government. During the meeting, Hamilton expressed his view that a dependable current source of revenue would be crucial to develop a more powerful and resilient central government. Although Hamilton played a diminutive part in the writing of the Constitution itself, he did heavily influence its ratification. In cooperation with James Madison and John Jay, Hamilton wrote fifty one of eighty five essays under the joint title The Federalist “The Federalist Paper.” In the essays, he cunningly explained and defended the newly drafted Constitution prior to its approval. In 1788, at the New York Ratification Convention, two thirds of delegates opposed the Constitution, however Hamilton was a powerful advocate for ratification, effectively arguing against the anti Federalist persuasion. His efforts succeeded when New York agreed to ratify, which led the remaining eight states to follow. He had a proposal for the new government that was modeled on the British system, which Hamilton considered the best.
When a hurricane hit Christiansted on August 30,1772, it severely damaged the place. Hamilton wrote a letter to his father describing the damage and devastation it had done to Christiansted. A minister and journalist named Hugh Rox publicised his letter and impressed community leaders. The community leaders were so impressed that they collected a fund to send Hamilton to the North American colonies to get an education. Hamilton went to King’s College, or what is better known today as Columbia University. He was more into politics than academics, so after a few years at King’s College, he dropped out. Due to Hamilton having a strong grasp on political issues, he wrote an article that explained the political mindset in the colonies and gave reasons to why the First Continental Congress should boycott trade with England. His writing displayed such cleverness that they were attributed to John Jay. Hamilton stopped his education in 1775, and founded a volunteer military company. It was here that Hamilton’s military talents attracted the attention of Nathaniel Greene, who then introduced Hamilton to George Washington. George Washington saw talent in Hamilton, not only in the military department, but also saw the influence he can have on people based on his writing. On March 1, 1777, Washington named 20 year old Hamilton as his “aides-de-camp”. Hamilton would then serve as a military secretary for 4 ½ years.
Alexander Hamilton was born in St. Croix, a small Caribbean island, in January 11, 1755. At the age of 11, Hamilton’s father abandoned his family. As a result, Hamilton began working as a clerk in a counting house of two New York merchants who had recently established themselves at St. Croix. After Hamilton’s mother’s demise when he was 13, Hamilton moved in to live with his cousin ("Alexander Hamilton"). Hamilton being an ambitious individual, he began reading every book he could get his hands on. Hamilton earned his reputation through his brilliance. At the age of 17, Hamilton won himself a promotion from the bookkeeper to the manager because of his dedication and industry knowledge ("Alexander Hamilton"). Soon, people started noticing how special Hamilton was, and they knew Hamilton was destined for greatness. The people also knew that Hamilton wasn’t able to afford to leave the island and pursue his education in the New World. Therefore, the people took up a collection, and they bought Hamilton a ticket to the New World. This is where Hamilton starts building his legacy, and the name Alexander Hamilton would soon be remembered for generations to
Who is Alexander Hamilton? He was the first Secretary of Treasury. He was an orphan. He wasn’t a president but you carry him every day. He’s on the 10 dollar bill. Alexander Hamilton was born January 11, 1757 on the British Islands in the West Indies. Hamilton also had a brother named James Jr which was born in 1765. James Jr and Hamilton was both born out of wedlock to a women named Rachel Lavien who was a French Huguenot descent, and father name was James Hamilton a Scottish lard. Wedlock is when to people that aren’t married have kid(s). Rachel met James about 1750 when she left her first husband and son traveling to Saint Kitts. James and Rachel moved back to her home town in Nevis where she inherited land from her late father. The fact
Hamilton was born in 1757 on a small island in the British West Indies. At the Age of 9, his father left his mother and both Hamilton and his Brother. At 11 years old his mother died, and both Hamilton and his brother were orphaned. After being orphaned Hamilton became a Clerk in a mercantile establishment, where his employers found potential in him, and raised a fund for him to go to the colonies and study there. However, the American Revolution interrupted Hamilton’s Studies and he joined the Americans in Fighting the British. Hamilton would rise fast through the ranks of the U.S. Forces and obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served under General Washington’s as his chief of staff during the war. This relationship, cemented by friendship and respect, would continue between Washington and Hamilton all the way through Washington’s Presidency. In 1780 Hamilton married Elizabeth Schuyler, whose family was rich and politically connected, and in 1781 he resigned from Washington’s staff, before resigning completely from the army shortly after that. Hamilton was then elected t...
Alexander Hamilton was a founding father of the United States of America. He fought alongside George Washington in the American Revolution as lieutenant colonel, plighting to secure the freedoms of many colonists. He was also equally proficient in writing and debate. Hamilton wrote The Federalist Papers alsongside John Jay and James Madison and served on the Continental Congress, being among those who signed the Constitution. Due to many of his accomplishments, Hamilton’s death affected the United States in various ways some of which included economics, foreign affairs, politics, and conspiracy.
Hamilton was born in between the years 1755 and 1757 on an island named Nevis located in the Caribbean. He didn’t grow up privileged because his father abandoned him and his mother died at a young age. Hamilton had to learn at an early age how to be disciplined and work for the things he wanted. Shortly after his mother died, he started working as an accounting clerk and because of this job, he was introduced to international commerce. He ended up learning about the business of importing slaves, money, and trade. Around the year 1772, Hamilton had moved to America in order to attend the King’s College which is known as Columbia University today. By
Alexander Hamilton was born January 11, 1755 or 1757,(The exact birth date is unknown) on the island of Nevis, British West Indies. Alexander was not born into a rich or famous family. Alexander Hamilton's family was too poor to afford any regular schooling. Alexander later recalled studying for a short time at a Jewish school. His mother Rachel Fawcett married a sugar planter named John Lavien on the island of St. Croix in the 1740s. Lavien was very harasive and would frequently beat her. Alexander moved to the mainland in 1772 and entered King’s College the following year which now is Columbia University. Hamilton arrived in the colonies as a teenager, and quickly began a remarkable career.
Hamilton’s war and office days were a major part of how he is able to change this country for the better. When Hamilton enlisted into the war, he made a very close friend, George Washington. Alexander had the sort of fight in him that George had been looking for. Hamilton was appointed as Washington’s aide-de-camp or right hand man. Even though they were close, Washington didn’t want to give Hamilton the command he wanted. But, during that time he was a charmer with the ladies as well. He ends up meeting his future wife, Elizabeth Schuyler, who he falls in love with almost immediately. On December 14, 1780, he and Eliza get married. Unfortunately, George Washington would still not give him the command he wanted so Hamilton resigns. But desperate
Alexander was the founding father of the united states. He had a tough childhood since he was a orphan and his town was hit by a hurricane. But that didn't stop him, rathered help him pursue his education. Hamilton had an extraordinary career consisting of him being apart of the Revolutionary war;fighting for American independence. George Washington was his right hand man appointing hamilton to secretary of the treasury because of his political skills. His life also had it's down moments he was married to Elizabeth Schuyler but cheated with Angelica. Alexander faced many ups and downs in his life from meeting a political partner George Washington to having trouble with relationships with women, but all helped him progress to success.
Alexander Hamilton, a well-rounded man in general, launched his earthly career in a modest town on one of the islands in the British West Indies. Alexander Hamilton was born in the city of Charlestown, Nevis, an island in the British West Indies, on January 11, 1755, or 1757, but the exact year is unknown. James Hamilton, Alexander’s father, was a trader and merchant from Scotland who abandoned the family with Alexander at a young age. Alexander’s mother, Rachel Faucet, was part-French Huguenot and part-British who ran away from her first husband to marry James.
The story of the duel between Hamilton and Burr is one of the most famous stories within American textbook, yet very little explanation has been made as to the cause or the effect of the event. What leads up to this very duel is the result of Hamilton public attack on Burr; however, unlike other which was political, this one is personal. It is very important to understand the role of Hamilton “flamboyant [political] style” and Burr’s “lack of political principle”, something Hamilton would see as a very flaw of his character. (Ellis 40)
Hamilton showed us history in a unique way. Lin Manuel Miranda takes us through the life of Alexander Hamilton sung through musical rap. Miranda showed us that we can learn using art and it can be fun and educational and even successful. He wants to inspire teenagers to learn different arts and hopefully find a passion within them.