Alexander Hamilton's Childhood

Improved Essays
Have you ever wondered how this country came to be? The country was created by our founding Fathers. Alexander Hamilton was 1 out of the 7 founding fathers. Hamilton went through many rough patches but never gave up. This essay will tell you about Hamilton’s childhood, his rise to the top and how he changed the USA for today. If you were to look at Hamilton’s childhood, chances are you’d think his odds were very little to none. He was born on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies. His birthdate is unknown, but it was January 11, 1755 or 1757. He was born to Rachel Fawcett Lavine, she was married to John Lavine at the time. She was cast out of her house and then took care of Hamilton. Hamilton’s father was a Scottish trader named James …show more content…
He was one of the best lawyers in the early 1780’s. He was chosen later in 1786 to be the New York delegate to amend the Articles of Confederation. Hamilton also signed the new US Constitution. Upon Hamilton’s return to New York he asked if Aaron Burr would confer on a plan, he said no. The plan was to anonymously write a series of articles defending the new US Constitution. The articles were called the Federalist Papers, the plan was to write a series of 25 essays. The work evenly divided among John Jay, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. John Jay got sick after writing 5, James Madison wrote 29 and Hamilton wrote the other 51. As Hamilton said “If it be asked, What is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be, An inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws — the first growing out of the last.... A sacred respect for the constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government.” Upon Washington’s election in 1789 Hamilton was appointed to be Treasury Secretary. 1797 is when his reputation started to downfall.An article was published telling of Hamilton’s infidelity towards Eliza to ultimately manipulate Federal Security. To defend himself Hamilton published the love letter that he wrote to Maria Reynolds during his marriage to Eliza. This flaw did not stop George Washington from appointing Hamilton to the acting commander in the US Army in

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Alexander Hamilton was the Secretary of treasury from 1789 to 1795; Hamilton had great foresight with his aspirations on how to solve the national debt. There were a few people that didn’t support Hamilton’s plans and some of his loudest opposers were James Madison who at one time was his protégé and fellow Congressman Thomas Jefferson. Alexander Hamilton was interested in raising revenue for the new federal government, he was a believer in capitalism and he was steadfast in his belief that he could help turn America into a power nation. One of the first and most logical was raising the tax on imports. After his success with raise in tariff, Hamilton presented to Congress an outline of programs that could help further bolster the government’s…

    • 580 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    In their book, Washington and Hamilton: the Alliance that Forged America, authors Stephen F. Knott and Tony Williams describe how the unique and “indispensable relationship” between George Washington and Alexander Hamilton became essential to the founding of America. Knott (a professor of national security affairs at the United States Naval War College in Rhode Island) and Williams (the professional development director at the Bill of Rights Institute and program director of the Washington, Jefferson & Madison Institute in Virginia) are both historians who describe the invaluable relationship shared between George Washington and Hamilton. Their book describes how the two men of such diverse backgrounds shared similar ambitions and contemplated a like minded vision for the future of America, despite the heated controversy inflicted by their opponents. While many historians provide detailed accounts of the relationships between the founding fathers, Knott and Williams reveal several…

    • 1382 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hamilton was one of the main leaders of the federalists, or people who were in support of a strong central government. His writing of the federalist papers as well as his ideas for a national bank support his interest in a strong federal government. The documents in the museum that prove his views include a summary of the Federalist Papers, an excerpt from Alexander Hamilton discussing the Federalist Papers, a summary of the first bank of the United States, and a summary of the First Report on Public Credit. Also, aside from the museum, one of the essays written by Hamilton for the Federalist Papers, number 13, proves that Hamilton had a strong belief in federalism.…

    • 633 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    During the time period of 1786 through the 1800s, a lot of historical plans went into effect, which has shaped our nation today. In Chapter 8: The New Nation, plans of forming a brand new government had started mainly because of Whiskey’s and Shay’s rebellion. Each rebellion shed light on the extreme amount on taxes to the people, and it showed that the people needed some type of stability from the government. Three important men in chapter eight are George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. George Washington became the First President of the United States or America on April 30, 1739.…

    • 579 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Federalist party believed in the constitution and they did not think that The Bill of Rights were necessary; it was led by Hamilton. “Both Hamilton and Madison argued that the Constitution didn't need a Bill of Rights, that it would create a "parchment barrier" that limited the rights of the people, as opposed to protecting them.” (The Great Debate 1). In order to support and defend The Constitution, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay had come up with a plan to write a total of 25 essays divided evenly among the three men, this later became 85 essays.…

    • 1250 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Hamilton was also a member of the Continental Congress, which was looking to make a strong government. When George Washington took office in 1789 he picked Hamilton to be in his cabinet. Hamilton structured the first national banking system and led the Treasury Department. Hamilton played a major role in the first Federalist party. Alexander Hamilton died on July 12,1804 in New York.…

    • 378 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Dred Scott Decision Essay

    • 991 Words
    • 4 Pages

    1. The Dred Scott decision was a famous ruling in history of the courts. Scott had claimed that he was a resident on free land so that had made him free. Others thought different from Scott, so he sued for his freedom and he won. The decision was in effect when it had been declared unconstitutional by the Republican platform of restricting slavery’s expansion.…

    • 991 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Hamilton is credited for his contribution to convincing the colonies to want the Constitution, help fund the U.S Army, and create nation debt for the United States of America.…

    • 980 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    According to Gordon, Hamilton is one of the most important figures in American history as he established the foundation for the economic power that America would become. In fact, “Historians and political scientists commonly credit Alexander Hamilton’s economic plans for revitalizing the American economy and providing the impetus for extended economic progress.” (489) Hamilton’s ideas quickly became central aspects of the modern capitalist economy that would continue to develop and flourish over time. In fact, Hamilton’s financial program was very successful as it led to the development of the New York Stock Exchange which is now the largest financial exchange in the world. Overall, Hamilton’s financial plan for the new government proved to be successful as his ideas were continually carried out even after his death.…

    • 1167 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Alexander Hamilton was raised in the West Indies. Hamilton was making essays and also was talking in the public meeting around 1774. Then Hamilton was captain of artillery in the year of 1776 and then Hamilton join the Washington’s staff in 1777. Where he got married to Elizabeth Schuyler and Hamilton wanted to have a good national government, for example, in the Continentalist, two letters from Phocion, and in the Federalist. Hamilton has the idea of having a good national government would help the state and what they would want to establish it would be better written.…

    • 959 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Alexander Hamilton made many risks for our great country. Hamilton made history by creating a financial plan and is now made on the ten-dollar bill. He believed that he had to take his shot at any chance, afraid of missing a chance of success. Aaron Burr plays as a foil to Hamilton story. Burr wants big things to happen but is too scared to take risks.…

    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were two men who wanted change in the political party system. This is where the two new political parties were created, the Federalist party and the Democratic-Republicans. These two new forms of government brought new and different ideas on how to run a federal government. Most candidates of today still follow these ways of thinking, but their ideals are much less extreme, but also these ideas could be applied to some of the problems of today. Alexander Hamilton started his political career as an advisor to Washington during his presidency.…

    • 1013 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    At The Constitutional Convention, he had met Alexander Hamilton from New York, and little did he know, that what he was going to help write with Hamilton would help the New York colonist want to ratify the constitution. He got dressed and went to meet his friends and to talk about his ideas for a…

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Alexander Hamilton’s personal life, however, was quickly under siege in the winter of 1792. On December 15th, three Congressmen, James Monroe, Abraham Venable, and Frederick Muhlenberg, approached Hamilton. They confronted Hamilton about sketchy monetary dealings involving treasury funds, with a Mr. James Reynolds, who was currently in jail. They intended to extract a confession, but were instead met with story more involved than they had imagined.…

    • 947 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    It is often the case in revolutions that many partnerships who take a lead role in shaping a new society do not continue to work together after their goal is achieved, that is exactly what happened to James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, who had risen to prominent positions within the new nation of America as delegates for their respective state. Both would be each other 's support for fighting for a new and ratified U.S. constitution. Although their partnership falls apart, they are truly America’s most needed partnership. Madison and Hamilton together led the U.S. to create and ratify the U.S. Constitution, which gave people more rights, made everyone more equal, and set the path for a self-governing America. James Madison and Alexander…

    • 1172 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays

Related Topics