Alexander Hamilton Research Paper

Alexander Hamilton was born on January 11, 1765 in Charlestown, on the British island of Nevis. Alexander's parents, James Hamilton and Rachel Faucett, were not married. His mother, already married to John Lavein, was illegally having an affair with James. When Hamilton was born, James wanted no part in raising his son, but Alexander still took the Hamilton name proudly. His mother Rachel died in 1768 of yellow fever, leaving Alexander to fend for himself. He spent most of his adolescence with local intelligence after writing an eloquent letter describing a hurricane that hit his town. The people were so amazed that they helped him raise money to send him to school in Britain's North American colonies when he was fifteen. In 1772 he initially …show more content…
In March 1776 Alexander was made the captain of an artillery company. During the Revolutionary War Alexander fought at the Battle of Kips Bay, White Plains, Trenton, and Piston. He impressed senior officers in the Continental Army. Lord Sterling asked Hamilton to serve at his side for military aid. On January 25, 1777, the Pennsylvania Evening Post posted an advertisement: “Captain Alexander Hamilton, of the New-York company of artillery, by applying to the printer of this paper, may hear of something to his advantage.” This was referring to General George Washington's decision to invite Hamilton which he accepted becoming a lieutenant colonel. Over the span of four years, Hamilton was one of Washington's most valued members of staff. He had many responsibilities from writing letters, to politics and other continental officers. Hamilton married his wife Eliza Schuyler on December 14, 1780. Her father Philip Schuyler served as a major general in the continental army and was one of the wealthiest men in New York. In March 1781 Alexander left Washington's staff after a dispute with Washington out of his frustration and lack of field …show more content…
When Washington was elected the first president of the nation, he promoted Alexander Hamilton to secretary of treasury. He sought to create a financially stable foundation for the nation and increase the power of the central government. He fought for the nation to assume state debts and bind creditors to the federal government. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Representative James Madison opposed this plan, and only assisted its passage through Congress when Hamilton agreed to a permanent location for the nation’s capital along the Potomac River. Hamilton made the first bank in the United States a centerpiece of his financial plan. Modeled on the Bank of England, the bank held government funds, issued loans to the government, provided currency, and increased liquid capital to facilitate economic growth. Hamilton’s opponents, led by Jefferson and Madison, believed his policies dangerously empowered the central government and favored the rich over yeoman farmers. In time, Hamilton and Jefferson became the leaders of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties

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