Alexander Hamilton: The Most Important Figure In American History

Hamilton [then] crafted a monetary policy that undoubtedly saved the nation from ruin. Among the features of the Hamilton[‘s] plan w[as] the payment of federal war bonds, the assumption of state debts by the federal government, and the creation of a mechanism for collecting taxes.” Hamilton also very strongly pushed for the creation of a nation currency. According to ushistory.org Alexander Hamilton: “proposed a Bank of the United States… [Hamilton believed that] a central bank would help make the new nation’s economy dynamic through a more stable paper currency.”

Hamilton was born in 1755/1757 in the island of Nevis, in the British West Indies, to James Hamilton and Rachel Fawcett Lavine to which his father some years later would abandon his older brother, mother, and himself and leave them in destitute. Alexander Hamilton’s mother died shortly after his father’s abandonment. Alexander was later shot by Aaron Burr in 1804. He went to King’s College after he

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

Hamilton began his political career by serving in the Congress of the Confederation from 1782-1783. The Congress of the Confederation was the original lawmaking body of the United States after the American Revolution. Hamilton served as a representative for New York. The Congress of the Confederation was governed under the rules of the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States.

At 11 years old, his father left his family, and at 12 he became an orphan after the death of his mother. With a terrible childhood, a great political standing, and the duel to wipe Alexander off the face of the earth, Hamilton is one of the great founding fathers of the United States of America. After getting an early education from his mother, Alexander became employed at age 12 for a general store. With fluent french and an exceptional knack for

His campaign for a big, powerful government allowed for the government to support and protect the economy. His policy called for the federal government to assume the unpaid debts of the states. Hamilton states, “that assumption of the debts of the particular states by the union, will be a measure of sound policy and substantial justice” (Hamilton’s First Report on Public Credit). Hamilton’s policies also granted the right for the United States to have a National Bank that could print paper money, thereby stabilizing the value of currency. Hamilton stated that the bank’s chief object is “to enable the creation of a capital sufficiently large to be the basis of an extensive circulation, and an adequate security for it” (Hamilton’s Second Report on Public Credit).

Alexander Hamilton was a orphan, a founding father, a soldier in the revolutionary war, and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. Alexander Hamilton was ten when his father James Hamilton left him, his mother, and his brother to live on there own. three years later him and his mother got sick because of the conditions the where living in. Hamilton got better but his mother died, leaving Hamilton orphaned.

When the Revolutionary war came about, Hamilton defended the Patriots against the Loyalists: this was his first political article written. In this moment is when he gained respect from militant leaders like George Washington. Hamilton then became a part of the New York Provincial Artillery Company and fought in the war. Later, Washington appointed Hamilton as the first Secretary of Treasury. As Hamilton understands of law and politics grew, he decided to pursue a goal of his: establishing a more diverse government under the new Constitution.

After the American Revolution he worked as a lawyer in New York. Joined the Continental Congress and in 1787 was a New York delicate to the constitutional convention in Philadelphia. Fought to replace the flawed articles of Confederation with a constitution that guaranteed a strong central government. When Washington was elected president in 1789 he tapped Alexander Hamilton to be the first secretary of the treasury. He then designed The treasury department.

oseph Murray wrote “Alexander Hamilton: America's Forgotten Founding Father” to really show how important Alexander Hamilton was in the making of America most of what it is today. Alexander Hamilton lived in the most challenging period of American history, when its institutions were being formed and its direction was being determined. (Murray) When Hamilton was getting a education, the political unrest with Great Britain quickly turned into a crisis that finally started at Lexington and Concord. With Alexander's education interrupted by the Revolution, He Involved himself in the struggle for independence by joining New York’s military as a captain of artillery.

Being a good leader does not necessarily mean shining in the spotlight. Some of the most revolutionary and successful leaders are the ones who worked the lights. Self-awareness, self-direction, vision, ability to motivate, and social awareness are the characteristics of a good leader according to SIY Leadership Institute (SIYLI). There have been many accomplished and renowned leaders in America since (and before) the 1770’s, ones whose names are universally known and others who are unfamiliar. Of the latter is Alexander Hamilton, who showed potential since the minute he was put on earth, for no matter what obstacles were thrown in his way he forged ahead and never threw away his shot.

Alexander watched in agony as John Laurens was carted away, bleeding and groaning, on a ragged, stained stretcher. The battlefield scene around him was grotesque; enough to make grown men, trained soldiers even, vomit and turn green with its putrid sights, sounds, and smells. But Alexander Hamilton was focused on only one thing. “John?”

While a literary device, tragic heroes also appear in real life. A perfect example of a real life tragic hero is Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury. This modern tragic hero started life as an orphan in poverty, living in the Caribbean, but his elevated character of exceptional literary skills, wit and progressive political ideas eventually landed him a spot as one of the most influential people in the United States. Alexander Hamilton had a positive hamartia, as he refused to remain quiet about the injustices of his country, oblivious to the danger it created for him and his family. The downfall of Hamilton occurred gradually.

Hamilton vs. Jefferson Visions to Reality     Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton both had very defined visions of the scope and power of the new federal government, how they saw the future of the economic development, and what the United States society should become. In my opinion Alexander Hamilton had more of an impact on the United States during the 1820’s and on contemporary government when compared to Thomas Jefferson. His policies did not strictly work during that time and many of his ideas are still seen in today’s society. Jefferson’s views and ideas on/of the national bank, higher tariffs, debt assumption, The Federalist Party, and his support of the ratification of the Constitution are all reasons in why his policies and visions came closer to becoming a reality.     Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, molded the gatherings that provoked to the twofold party system under which the U.S. works today.

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.