Alexander Hamilton

1
Alexander Hamilton

• 1755-1804

2
Born At the Bottom

• Born in British West Indies
• Which makes him an immigrant
• Illegitimate child
• Mother had an affair
• No written record of birth or baptism
• Bottom of social and economic ladder

3
Financial Education

• Worked at mothers store until her death
• Worked as a clerk for international trader
• Learned about finances
• Developed a deep hatred of slavery
• Learned about science and humanities from
  Scottish Presbyterian minister
• Unusual for minister to teach something other
  than theology
• Mentors sent him to America for further education
• 1773 (appx. 18 yrs old)

4
College Years

• Sent to Kings College (Columbia University)
• Same time as Continental Congress
• Financial supporters were Whigs
• Went to Boston after Tea Party to investigate
  problem
• Decided to become a patriot

5
Military Years

• Forms drilling company with buddies
• Learns artillery
• Gains favor with Gen Henry Knox
• Recognized by Washington
• Becomes his aide-de-camp (age 22)
• Relationship tense between Wash and Ham

6
Post Revolution

• Studies law
• Continental tax collector
• Member of Continental Congress
• Considers government to be inefficient
• Defends former loyalists in court cases

7
Supports Constitution

• Writes part of The Federalist
• Believes New York needs to ratify Constitution

8
Secretary of Treasury

• Proposed that U.S. should incorporate all
  Revolutionary debts
• 1st public debt
• National Bank
• Excise tax (esp. Whiskey)
• More paper money

9
Economic Plan

• Support wealthy
• Wealthy will support government
• Prosperity trickles down to the masses
• Do this by federal government paying debts
• Congress 54 million
• State 21.5 million

10
National Bank

• Privately owned
• Part of federal government
• People can buy bonds
• Issue currency
• Problem- not stated in Constitution

11
Creates Federalist Party

• Prefers strong central government
• Favors Aristocracy
• Thinks the mob is incapable of rule
• Disagrees with Jefferson

12
The Affairs

• Has an affair with Maria Reynolds
• Discovers extreme Federalist conspiracy
• Headed by Aaron Burr

13
Duel With Aaron Burr

• Burr- Vice President with Jefferson
• Duels with Hamilton
• Kills him
• Eventually tried for treason and released
• Lives in Europe until his death

14
Questions

• Why is Hamilton considered a lonely Founding
  Father, never gaining a strong reputation like
  Washington and Jefferson?
• How do you reconcile his upbringing with his
  political and economic theories?