Antoni Saade Mrs. Deborah Sprenger Dual United States and Virginia History 12 October 2014 Alexander Hamilton: Politician, Lawyer, Soldier Few figures in American history have influenced the United States in as many aspects as Alexander Hamilton. Born in the British West Indies in 1755, Hamilton came to the colonies as a teenage boy and quickly embarked on a momentous career. He came to be a notable member of the Continental Congress, an author of the Federalist Papers, a champion of the Constitution, and the first secretary of the Treasury, where he helped found the first national bank, the U.S. Mint, and a tax collection bureau that would later become the U.S. Coast Guard. Troubled by personal and political scandals in his later years, …show more content…
Outright rebellion and war against the mother country was unthinkable at the time, although the Battle of Lexington and Concord were merely a few months, a war of words was reality. One New York Loyalist in particular, known as ‘the Farmer’ in his sympathetic writings, favored royal British authority in the American colonies and denounced all actions of a colonial American congress (Ronemus). It was with his response to ‘the Farmer’ that Hamilton became first involved with the radical politics of New York and used the name ‘Friend to America.’ In his reply, Hamilton defends the American congress, writing in reference to members of parliament on December 15, 1774, “That they are enemies to the rights of mankind is manifest, because they wish to see one part of their species enslaved by another. That they have an invincible aversion to common sense is apparent in many respects: They endeavor to persuade us, that the absolute sovereignty of parliament does not imply our absolute slavery (Hamilton).” Hamilton continued to write in defense of colonial-American rights throughout the war, garnering support for the Patriot cause all the
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
During the late 1700s, when an emergence of increased nationalism in the American colonies brought forth the need for independence, the majority of American citizens found themselves torn between a deep-rooted loyalty to Mother Britain and the promise of liberties they had ever since been denied. Despite the fact that they had been refused before, some still insisted upon fruitless negotiation with the obstinate King George III. Others, however, argued in favor of war against the tyrant. One prominent political figure and skilled orator, Patrick Henry, contended that American independence was imperative to the rights and liberties of men, and that war was the only solution to their ever-growing problem. At the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond, he addressed the President of the assembly, Peyton Randolph, and other members in an attempt to convince those who were still irresolute on the issue.
Hamilton started his injection into the American-British conflict with nothing more than well timed and well versed Pamphlets. An Author by the name of Hendrickson wrote "A full vindication of the measures of Congress" in 1774, and "The Farmer Refuted" in 1775, the latter being an answer to a slanderous attack by a clergyman, in February 1775. These two pieces contributed largely to George Washington taking Hamilton on as a writing aide two years later. We also see the light shed on a man becoming a rebel who originally didn 't intend to be one, a man "who remained conservative at heart" (Hendrickson 241). The British constitution had made it a man’s right to be taxed only by members of a legislature that man had voted for that was either the House of Commons or the colonial assemblies overseas.
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
Right now our country is truly suffering an economic disaster. The debt, which is continuously rising, will soon hit 20 trillion dollars. Yourself, Alexander Hamilton, is a man who proposed the Bank of the United States and served as the first Secretary of Treasury in George Washington’s cabinet which I feel gives you the credentials to attempt to solve our current day debt dilemma. Early you became one of Washington’s most trusted aid in the Revolutionary War. You also were the main writer in the Federalist Papers, which ensured the ratification of the Constitution (Celebrating Hamilton’s Achievements).
Alexander Hamilton, one of the most important people in the history of the United States, established many things that helped the country. He also was a senior officer during the revolutionary war, became the first secretary of treasury for the United States, qualified as New York City’s first artillery officer, and aided in many of the elections. Alexander Hamilton was born on the Island of Nevis in the West Indies on January 11, either in 1757 or in 1755. Historians are not sure which year he was born in because Hamilton said that he was born in 1757, but evidence leads to him being born in 1755. He was educated at a young age by his mother and a presbyterian clergyman.
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.
While still a student in college, his friendship with William Livingston and other New York patriots had introduce the idea of the American Revolution. In 1776 and 1777 Hamilton demonstrated military leadership during the New Jersey campaign he also did so in 1781 in Yorktown. He impressed his superior and other important men with organizational skills, and executive ability. He also improved his social status by marrying Elizabeth Schuyler in 1780.
He would have to relay messages to Washington’s men. Then, rightfully so after the revolution, Washington appointed him as a representative of the Congress of the Confederation. He later resigned to practice law. When the question “why was Hamilton important to our history?” is asked I sat on it for a little while and thought about it. He is more important than Cane’s chicken fingers is to Saint Charles people.
What did he achieve? Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States of America. From his simple and modest upbringing to being the founding father of the U.S. Although Alexander Hamilton was born in the British West Indies, he moved to the US as a refugee when he was young. Not only was Hamilton being the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States of America, he was also a soldier in General Washington’s Army, an economist, philosopher, founding father of the United States and one of the chief architects who shaped the great nation of the U.S. He was also a founder of the nation’s first political party of the Federalists.
Hamilton knew that he wanted to fight for his independence. Within two years of his 1773 arrival in America, war had indeed broken out, and Hamilton quickly joined the effort (Alexander and George). Alexander wanted to fight, when he joined George Washington's staff in 1777, where he remained until february of 1781 (ALEXANDER HAMILTON), he thought that he was going to be able to fight. He thought that he was going to be able to fight for what he wanted, and believed he could win. “Growing restless in his desk job, in 1781, Hamilton convinced Washington to let him taste some action on the battlefield.
The more Hamilton worked for Washington, the more he realized and learned how weak the government was. Eventually after Hamilton’s military and law career, he finally decided to settle down into politics and government. “Hamilton's political agenda entailed establishing a stronger federal government under a new Constitution” (Biography.com). In the year of 1787, in Philadelphia, many came together such as John Jay, James Madison and more to “write a series of essays defending the proposed Constitution, now known as The Federalist Papers”
Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of Treasury, Washington’s Right Hand Man, author of the Federalist Papers, founder of the first nation bank, and one of America’s Founding Fathers, impacted American history significantly. He accomplished all of his momentous dreams. Despite his success, Hamilton had to overcome strenuous obstacles: he was born on an island where death at an early age was common due to diseases, came from a low-income family, and did not have anyone to help him with his education nor his career. He gave it his best and faced all of his obstacles; he never gave up.
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.
“History has its eyes on you” (Miranda) is belted by George Washington as he emphasizes the power of the written word in history. Words have the power to change an individual and the world. I believe in the power of the word to create a story that challenges people to examine greater issues. History forces us to make decisions. One of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, used writing to build his point of view as he built his life in America.