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Alexander Hamilton

• influential delegate to
the U.S. Constitutional
Convention
• principal author of the
Federalist Papers
• first and most influential
Secretary of the
Treasury
As Secretary of State
• establishing the First Bank of the United
States
• public credit
• foundations for American capitalism and
stock and commodity exchange
Alexander Hamilton
• is often regarded as the founding father who
advocated the principles of a strong centralized
federal government that would become the
hallmark of the early Republic.
• This was due to his support of
– strong national defense,
– strong business institutions
– laissez-faire capitalism
– commitment to economic growth
Federalist Papers
• series of 85 articles
arguing for the
ratification of the United
States Constitution
• first published serially in
New York City
newspapers
Thomas Jefferson
• 3rd President of the United States
(1801–1809)
• author of the United States
Declaration of Independence
(1776)
• Secretary of State for Washington
• Considered one of the most
influential Founders of the United
States
• The Federalist movement gradually showed
– broad-construction,
– nationalistic tendencies
• Anti-Federalist movement favored
– strict-constructionist
– advocated popular rights against the asserted
aristocratic
Contrasting Views on the Federal
Government
Hamilton Jefferson
• Concentrating power • Sharing power with state
in federal government and local governments;
limited national
• Fear of mob rule government
• Republic led by well- • Fear of absolute power or
educated Elite ruler
• Loose interpretation of • Democracy of virtuous
the Constitution farmers and trades people
The Demise of Hamilton
The Duel
• On July 11, 1804, the enemies met outside of Weehawken,
New Jersey
• When the duel began, Hamilton and Burr fired within
seconds of one another. Hamilton's shot went wild, but Burr
shot and fatally wounded Hamilton.
• Burr was serving as Thomas Jefferson’s Vice President at the
time.
• Burr was later charged with murder in New York and New
Jersey, but was never tried in either jurisdiction.
• Hamilton or Jefferson?
– http://www.wccusd.k12.ca.us/elcerrito/history/j
eff&ham.htm

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