Blog

Alexander Hamilton was an exceedingly intelligent, ambitious and visionary man whose name is associated with the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States. He had an impoverished beginning on the Caribbean islands but ended up being among one country’s leaders high up in power. A significant figure during the war of independence, constitutional drafting and setting up American financial base systems took giant strides.

Early Life and Education

A child of adversity amidst thin air, Alexander Hamilton was born in Nevis, a British Caribbean island, either in 1755 or 1757. His father, James Hamilton, and his mother, Rachel Faucette, were never married to one another, so his father left him when he was very young. Nonetheless, after his mother died when he was eleven years old the little boy became an orphan. Despite these difficulties that surrounded him since his birth he had a very sharp wit as well as being insatiate for learning new things.

In response to their belief in his potential, traders in the area collected donations which helped send him to study further in North America. He arrived in Boston in 1772 and continued his education in New York City. His exceptional writing abilities soon caught the attention of many who started publishing various articles anonymously supporting the increasing colonial opposition against British rule.

A Soldier and Statesman

Alexander Hamilton became part of the Continental Army when the American Revolutionary War erupted in 1775. Due to his outstanding leadership and skills of strategy, Hamilton was readily taken up by General George Washington who in turn make him his aide-de-camp. He was indeed one of great gallant-hearted officers throughout this particular war being involved actively even in its most vital fights such as that waged at Yorktown.

Afterwards, he immersed himself into politics following the end of military confrontation. He played a central role in Constitutional Convention by standing for strong federal government. A key author of the Federalist Papers, Hamilton defended the Constitution and attempted to convince all states to ratify it while serving as Treasury Secretary under President George Washington- an argument which ultimately led to its approval.

Secretary of the Treasury

When George Washington took over as the first President of the United States, he named Hamilton his Treasury secretary. The country was in deep debt and its economy was extremely frail but all these challenges were addressed through a bold financial plan that he put forward. To bring the American economy back to its feet, he proposed that the state debts should be assumed forthwith and a central bank created among other things taxation such as tariffs for some goods; thereby initiating the initial steps in making sure that this nation attained growth in wealth.

Hamilton’s concept of a powerful, centralized government stood at odds with Thomas Jefferson’s beliefs who was his political opponent. As a result of their ideological differences, America’s first political parties were formed with federalists, which he led, and democratic-republicans fronted by Jefferson.

Legacy

Alexander Hamilton had a complicated but lasting impact on America. Indeed, he played a role in establishing it, and supposedly his economic ideas are still relevant today (CITE). Despite this, his feuds during his lifetime as well as the unfortunate outcome of an 1804 duel with Aaron Burr have cast a shadow on his reputation.

In the last few years, Alexander Hamilton has surged in fame due to a comparable Broadway show. The musical has breathed life into his story for a new generation.