The ambitions and competitive natures of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton seem to have directed these two founding fathers into a direct collision with each other. Read the three articles about the duel provided below and reflect on the impact either of these men would have had if the duel would never have been fought. What might have Burr become? What greater impact might Hamilton have made on the country at large? Discuss the lives of these two men and the circumstances that drove them into this duel, then specualte on what each of their lives might have been like had it never happened. Begin with a complex-split introductory paragraph in which you identify three key ideas or themes or factors that A) led to the duel; B) resulted from the duel; or C) were a combination of precipitators and consequences.
DUE DATE: Friday, October 19, 2012
Word Count: 300 word minimum
The Duel between Burr and Hamilton:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/duel/peopleevents/pande17.html
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/duel.htm
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/learning_history/burr/burr_badblood.cfm
Infamous "Got Milk?" Aaron Burr Commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLSsswr6z9Y
53 comments:
Beckett Lee
Periods 3 and 4
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, two great American men, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, dueled for honor in America. These men and their conflicts were the product of a new, malleable government attempting to define itself in the world. First, the formation of political parties, specifically the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, put these two men at odds over control of the government; second, both men were extremely competitive and desired to crush the other to gain success; third, the compounding offenses of each man against the other resulted in a final duel and the death of Alexander Hamilton. Each of these factors resulted in the famous duel and the elimination of both men from having the influence they could have had in America.
America was in its early stages of existence when these two titans raged against each other. George Washington was a hero, but he only wanted to return to his farm. Thomas Jefferson was also highly influential. Alexander Hamilton was a giant among men. He alone had the financial ability to hold America together. He was the one who encouraged Washington to be President in the first place. The duel robbed America of its brightest economist and a brilliant executive figure, Aaron Burr. If these two had not conflicted, America could have had a much brighter economic future than the tumultuous road it faced. It might also have had Aaron Burr as a President. Regrettably, the duel killed Hamilton and left the nation without good economic leadership. It also destroyed Aaron Burr and he was forced to sink into obscurity rather than becoming President of the United States.
The competition that ended these men also brought them to their positions of authority and power. Alexander Hamilton’s never-ending ambition put him on Washington’s staff during the war. This led to him being chosen as Secretary of the Treasury. His quest for power and control made him the most influential financial master America had ever seen. America’s economy under the command of Hamilton might have made it a superpower rivaling England. Aaron Burr’s burning desire for authority made him a senator, then a presidential candidate, then a vice president. Imagine if he had won the presidency, which he could have if Hamilton had not opposed him. The Embargo Act may never have come to pass and America’s economy might not have been shattered. These men were destroyed before they could live out their potential.
Unfortunately, once the offenses began, they could only compound. The competitive drive of these men made them proud. Once they viewed each other as threats to their respective prides, there was no avoiding a contest of honor, a duel. Hamilton’s continued political attacks against Burr created a desire for revenge against Hamilton. Burr tried his best to destroy Hamilton politically, but he was spited at every turn. He was left with departing the political field in shame or possibly regaining his honor and his dignity in a duel against Hamilton. He did not realize that this duel would destroy him just as surely as resigning from politics would have.
Both of these men had the skills necessary to improve America during its formation. The ambition of both men contrasted strongly with Washington’s reluctance for power. If these men had not negated each other in America’s early government, they could have had powerful influences on America either individually or possibly as a team. America’s political, economic, and social fields would have been changed forever if it weren’t for that fateful competition that doomed them both.
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton were brilliant politicians whose political careers were destroyed because of anger, hatred and bad tempers. In 1791, Aaron Burr won the U. S. Senate seat from Hamilton's well connected father-in-law. Hamilton, who was Treasury secretary at that time, was very angry that Burr won because he was counting on his father-in-laws support for his policies. Hamilton was the author of the Federalist papers promoting a strong central government. Burr who represented the old Republican Party got hold of and published a book written by Hamilton called "The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States.” This book was very critical of President Adams and Hamilton never intended for it to be published. When the book came out it embarrassed Hamilton and caused problems for him with the Federalist Party. Hamilton was so angry at Burr that he lobbied Congress to elect Jefferson for President who Burr was running against. Jefferson won and then the final blow to Burr came when Hamilton stopped Burr's attempt to win the governorship of New York. A letter was published in the Albany Register by Dr. Charles Cooper that said “I could detail to you a still more despicable opinion which General Hamilton has expressed about Mr. Burr”. Burr felt the word “despicable” was slanderous and libel. Even though Hamilton was never actually quoted in the article, Burr insisted on an apology. Hamilton denied he had anything to apologize for as he was never actually quoted in the article! Burr responded by challenging his long time enemy to a duel. To keep his honor, Hamilton reluctantly accepted. The practice at the time was that you could choose to ‘fire away’ from your opponent. Firing away from your opponent worked because you could technically say you fired your weapon. Your honor was saved, and no one got hurt. Hamilton had made it clear that was his intention. Burr took aim and shot Hamilton who died the next day. Burr's political career came to an end when he was charged with two counts of murder. The end result was that Hamilton, a man despised by many for his strong opinions would become a martyr for liberty. Aaron Burr, the Vice President of the United States would be accused by many as the new “Benedict Arnold”. Because of this, he would flee to South Carolina, only to eventually return to finish his term as vice and never run for office again. Burr was undoubtedly an intelligent man, a brave officer and a master political organizer but he used poor judgment in his dealings, which makes you wonder if he would have been an ethical President should he have won. He seemed to put his own interest before those of his country. By comparison, Hamilton established a daily newspaper, the New York Evening Post which is still publishing as the New York Post today. He also helped found the US Mint and the first national bank. Hamilton's policies as Secretary of the Treasury greatly affected the United States government and still continue to influence it today. Had he lived he might have eventually become President. These two political hotheads couldn’t find it within themselves to put aside petty differences for the good of their county. They let one word – despicable – ruin two promising careers.
Missy Smith
Period 1 and 4
On July 11, 1804, two American politicians, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr dueled for “honor”. This skirmish was based solely on political and personal opinions, but it also shows the road Hamilton took when it comes to politics. First, politically, they were from two different parties, Hamilton was a Federalist and Burr a Republican; second, Burr had published a book that Hamilton wrote about John Adams, that was never supposed to be public, that was very embarrassing; and third, Hamilton had not really thought the duel through, he was worried about his honor and politics had gotten in the way. Each of these factors resulted in the famous duel, the “murder” of Hamilton, and the down fall of Burr’s political career.
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton were bright men, whose political careers were shattered because of fury, loathing and appalling tempers. Aaron Burr who represented the previous Republican Party got a hold of and published a book written by Hamilton called "The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States.” A book which Hamilton had never wanted printed. Hamilton lobbied Congress to elect Jefferson for President, who Burr was running against. Jefferson won. The final blow to Burr came when Hamilton stopped Burr's attempt to win the governorship of New York. If Hamilton would have let it be, the animosity might have been weaker than it was. Hamilton tried to fight fire with fire. In 1791, Aaron Burr won the U. S. Senate seat from Hamilton's well connected father-in-law. Hamilton, who was Treasury secretary at that time, was very irate that Burr succeeded because he was counting on his father-in-laws support for his policies. This is another example of Hamilton’s inability to control his temper. To keep his honor, Hamilton reluctantly accepted to the duel that Burr had challenged him too. Using the practice at the time, someone could choose to ‘fire away’ from the opponent which was used because one could technically say they fired their weapon. Their honor was saved, and no one got hurt. Hamilton had made it clear that was his intention, but Burr took aim and shot Hamilton directly, and Hamilton died the next day. This was a huge blow to Burr’s career and he was charged with murder. Hamilton died because of, in reality, stupidity. Neither of them could keep their anger in check and it ended in death.
Dustin McCoy
Periods 3 & 4
In 1791 Burr was finally after years of trying able to get a spot in the U.S. Senate from Philip Schuyler his father and law who had many connections within the government. This was the beginning of a battle between Hamilton the Treasury secretary who had been looking forward to Schuyler support. After finding out Burr had won the election Hamilton became angered and wanted to do whatever he could to defeat his rivalry. But it wasn't until another event in 1800 that finally lit the fuse for Hamilton when Burr managed to get a hold of and publish “The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States.,” This document written by Hamilton was originally attended for only a small audience of peers. This article was highly critical towards Adam, an opposing Federalist. Because of this publication Burr was able to widen disputes within the Federalists Party. In 1804 the fuse had finally exploded and pushed Hamilton and Burr into a violent uproar. After Burr had lost the election to Jefferson he decided that if he ran as an independent and won he would regain his power in the government once more. This was in Hamilton’s mind modifying because he believed Burr leading in one of the largest cities was going to be an utter failure. In a desperate attempt to keep Burr from being elected he begged the New York Federalists to not support Burr. Burrs campaign was a complete failure and was defeated by George Morgan Lewis. In February 1804 Hamilton spoke very harshly against his enemy Burr which karma came back at him and one of his references toward Burr was published in the New York newspaper. This event immediately resulted in Burr challenging Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton a Christian man wanted nothing more to do with this and knew what the outcome of the duel will be because he wasn't going to raise his gun and fire. He says in one of his goodbye letters that “the scruples mind me to expose my own life extent rather than subject my guilt of taking the life of another.” It was merely pride that drove him to partake in the act of dueling. This resulted in Hamilton’s death and the end of Burrs political career. If this event never took place he may not have ever ceased to have his seat in office. Burr was to never again after to be elected into office after he was convicted of two counts of murder.
With the country still in its formative years, the rivalry between two men would have a profound effect on the course of American history. The emergence of political parties placed Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton into direct contest as they both fought tooth and nail to secure victories for their parties’ interests. Their mutual distrust of one another culminated in an infamous duel from which only Burr walked away alive. This escalated enmity has no simple cause: First, the sudden materialization of partisan politics made these two obvious enemies; Second, slowly deteriorating public images made these men eager to prove their supremacy; Third, both had had a taste of power and were steadfast in their determination to remain in control. With the corrupting power of politics coursing through their blood, Burr and Hamilton successfully brought about the death of their own political careers.
As the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton was perhaps the most brilliant economic mind of his time. His formation of the National Bank ensured that America would rise out of the ashes of the Revolutionary War as a viable new addition to the world economy. But the passage of his plan proved to be an uphill battle. The sprouting of the opposing political parties of the Federalists and Republicans ushered in a new era of competitive politics. The election of 1800 saw the first signs of loathing between Burr and Hamilton when Hamilton did everything in his power to ensure that Jefferson was elected president. Confined to second place, Burr wielded all of his political might in Jefferson’s fight against the National Bank and the Hamiltonians as a whole. By 1804, both of these political titans were hit with the harsh reality that their once illustrious positions in the public eye had begun to tarnish, making them all the more desperate to keep political influence within their grasps. Burr blamed Hamilton for his failure to win New York’s gubernatorial seat and when Hamilton would not rescind his poisonous opinions of Burr’s trustworthiness, the two agreed to a duel; neither walked away with a political career and only Burr walked away with his life. Because of this brash display of prowess, America lost two of its brightest minds. Perhaps if this fateful encounter had not occurred, Hamilton’s legacy of the National Bank would have had a fighting chance at success and if Burr hadn’t been ostracized by his fellow Republicans, he could have gone on to fulfill the pattern of a vice president ascending to the presidency.
The duel between Hamilton and Burr had profound ramifications for the country. The death of Alexander Hamilton foreshadowed the impending decline and eventual extinction of the Federalist Party as they no longer had a viable leader amongst them. As for Aaron Burr, his dreams of the presidency now thoroughly extinguished, he set his sights on creating his own mini country within America, sowing the seeds of secession in the region around the Mississippi River. As outlandish as this historic duel may seem, it was only beginning of a new age in American politics; the gloves were coming off and the claws were coming out.
Cori Brunet
Aaron Burr had challenged Alexander Hamilton to a duel. The two met on the morning of July 11, 1804 in Weehawken, New Jersey. Several key factors led to this duel. First, the ill-feelings between the two men grew stronger when Burr defeated Hamilton’s father-in-law for a seat in the Senate; second, Hamilton made a history of campaign attempts against Burr and “dirtied” his name; third, Hamilton felt obligated to participate in the duel, even though he did not want to.Hamilton was a Federalist and Burr was a Republican. In 1791, Burr defeated Hamilton’s powerful father-in-law, Philip Schuyler. Schuyler would have supported Hamilton and his policies had he been elected. Thus this greatly upset him. Hamilton had written a very negative and critical document about John Adams that was only intended for private circulation. When Burr got his hands on it in 1800, he published it and embarrassed him. When Burr and Thomas Jefferson ran against each other later that year, Hamilton urged Congress to favor Jefferson. An event that further pushed these men to violence was the New York race for governance in 1804. Hamilton completely mistrusted and despised Burr, so again he tried to sway peoples’ opinions, this time attempting to convince the New York Federalists not to vote for Burr. In both circumstances, though Hamilton’s pressings may have had little effect if any, Jefferson emerged as winner in 1800 and Burr lost to Morgan Lewis in the 1804 race for governor.When Burr challenged Hamilton to the duel, he believed his distraught political career would be revived if he won. Hamilton wanted to avoid the duel, but felt obligated to participate. If he admitted to the accusations, Hamilton would lose his honor, but if he refused to duel, the same would happen. In a way, he was stuck. The two men met in New Jersey early in the morning on July 11, 1804 with their seconds, and Hamilton with Dr. David Hosack, a physician. Shots were fired by both parties, but Burr left unscathed. Hamilton was mortally wounded and died the next day. Instead of reviving Burr’s political career as he had hoped, it ended it, and after his term as Vice President ended, he never held office again.
From the establishment of the Constitution in 1787 to the first decade of the seventeenth century, the ambitions of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr grew as the new United States did in size. These desires created a great disgust in each other, which only mounted when the fate of the U.S. stood firmly in the balance, leading to a duel between them and Hamilton’s fatal injury. Had not the two clashed with their desires and killed Hamilton as a result, the world would probably have seen a different United States. Three important factors that show the facts that built up to this confrontation and test would ultimately influenced its result were: first, the “competition” between the two to determine would possess the greatest power and influence on the government; second, Burr’s attempts to gain personal power before his confrontation; third, Hamilton’s powerful influence and leadership of the dwindling Federalist party.
Ever since their first disagreements in politics, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were both very influential people to the United States; Aaron Burr was running to become president of the United States, while Alexander Hamilton was secretary of Treasury. But when both encountered each other, a bitter rivalry to achieve and restrain each other’s power arose. When Aaron Burr was running for governor of New York, Hamilton strongly opposed Burr and his ambitious hunger to restore his power after leaving the Republican Party and depriving him of a previous position he desired. This action then set off each other’s reactions to each other that would eventually lead determining the superior at gunpoint. Had this duel not occurred or Hamilton cause the duel, Aaron Burr may have been able to secede the New England states, completely changing U.S. history. There may have been an earlier civil war, creating a premature act against the states for what would come decades later. Hamilton played a majorly important role in establishing the United States under the Constitution as a major self-sufficient and important component in the world economy. He established the course of action that brought the U.S.A from an initially agricultural nation into what it is today. This shows that if Hamilton had lived in the dangerous exchange of firearms, Hamilton could have brought us much closer to the intended goal, maybe even would have left a great influence on the Civil War.
These men both brought upon important influences to the United States, and if not for their competition with each other to gain personal power or restrain one another, an new side of the U.S. would have been discovered that would change U.S. history in an importantly different way
Brynn Villa
I'm sorry but i'm out of time...i shouldve done it earlier...however i will get to it very soon. :)
I wrote my complex-split thesis but I will not be able to finish it until tomorrow.
On July 11, 1804 Hamilton stepped fatefully onto a dueling ground in New Jersey with Aaron Burr. It was his death that caused a change in America as a country or perhaps a lack of change. This change or lack thereof had an impact socially because of the after math of the battle, including both Hamilton’s death and his murderer’s sudden disappearance; politically because he was a main figure in the Federalist Party; and economically, because of Hamilton’s plan for the national economy and how it was not followed through. Thus, for social political and economic reasons Hamilton’s death impacted American history.
Olivia Brophy
Periods 3 & 4
The late 1700s and early 1800s, a key timeframe in the formation of the fledgling United States, gave rise to one of the most notorious hostile relationships in the history of this country - that of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. The precipitators of the eventual duel show that the conflict was most likely inevitable, and the outcome was debilitating. Firstly, obvious and extensive political differences caused friction between the men; Secondly, the rift caused by political differences was widened by Hamilton’s personal mistrust of Burr and the consequential offense that Burr took; Thirdly, with the loss of Hamilton’s life and the destruction of Burr’s, the United States lost two men with vast potential in the political arena. Thus, the outcome of the political and personal differences between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr destroyed the opportunity for either to have a great impact on the United States.
The tension between Burr and Hamilton grew largely because of political differences. The strain on the relationship between these two men because of politics showed itself for the first time in 1791, when Burr won the Senate seat that had previously been occupied by Hamilton’s father-in-law. As Treasury Secretary, Hamilton required his father-in-law’s support for his policies, and because Burr belonged to the opposing party, the support was lost. This caused political disagreements, which Burr acted upon in varying ways. These in turn provoked reactions from Hamilton, and the push and pull relationship grew stronger. These clashes, which Hamilton viewed as being solely political, offended Burr, and he subsequently read more into them.
Provoked by their political dealings, personal hostility played a large role in the instances leading up to the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Hamilton was famous for his belief that Burr was only into politics for his own gain, and found him untrustworthy. As a result, Hamilton felt it absolutely necessary (in his words, “a religious duty”) to keep Burr out of public office, as he did in New York’s 1804 gubernatorial election. Aaron Burr, deeply offended by Hamilton’s beliefs, regarded this as the final straw in the string of offenses committed against him by Hamilton, and challenged him to a duel, hoping that a victory would boost his political status. However, Hamilton was reluctant to engage with Burr, and arrived at the dueling grounds with no intention of firing his weapon. Burr, hungry for the power that had been held out of his reach for so long, took the first opportunity to seize influence, and fatally shot Hamilton, who would die the next day.
The result of the political and personal animosity between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton was the destruction of the former’s life, and the loss of the latter’s. Had this tragic collision been avoided, the two men might have gone on to be extremely beneficial to the United States. Burr, a talented lawyer in New York, might have gone on to join the Supreme Court with the rush of Democratic-Republican presidents between 1801 and 1837. If Burr had been appointed to a Supreme Court seat, the rulings on some of John Marshall’s landmark cases might have a more Democratic-Republican “tinge” to them. If his life had not been cut short, Alexander Hamilton could have defended the Bank of the United States, which he strongly supported, and therefore saved the country from the Panic of 1837 that resulted from the closure of the Bank. Additionally, Hamilton had the ability to rise to the presidency, and might have given the country the infrastructure that it vitally needed, but was denied by Andrew Jackson, sooner. This in turn may have contributed to major developments being discovered earlier, which would have furthered the United States in the mechanical and technological races it became entwined in over time.
(last paragraph)
The strenuous relationship between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, fueled by political disagreements and personal dislike, ended in tragedy for all involved, including the United States at large. On July 11, 1804, two lives that might have gone on to contribute to major changes in the United States were forever altered - one was ended, the other was tainted beyond repair. We may never know what influence these two men could have wielded in the American political field, but we can rest assured that before and on this date, both men forever altered the United States through their actions.
As the United States of America slowly but surely traveled along its primitive years with a method of growth, the country’s political and economic aspects were no more matured than its influence as a united nation. In their efforts to establish these factors, the citizens of America began to split in two as political parties regretfully began to emerge. Of each opposing party stood a proud, dignified, and heavily opinionated man – Andrew Hamilton of the Federalist party and Aaron Burr of the Democratic-Republican party. The infamous duel that took place between these two allowed only one man to walk away with his life but left all the respect to remain with the martyred corpse that lay behind him. In order for this stand off to have happened, in the first place, it took several attributes to boil up with one another until the last figurative straw had been broken. It started off with the intensifying competition and mutual repugnance that roared between their political parties, which just naturally set the two men on opposite sides of the game board; but, to add onto it, they were both highly respected figures in their party and would not desire for anyone to forget it any time soon; and then, there was the questionable emotional stability of Hamilton – who was still grieving over the loss of his son – which rendered his decision making to a point not best known for its amount of rationality.
Beforehand, these two men were highly regarded figureheads amongst their respective party. Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury and founder of the first National Bank of America, while Burr climbed up the latter of political positions until he reached the occupation of Vice President of the United States. Individually, they both were responsible for a significant amount of impact upon America’s earliest years of growth. But it was when the two were combined at the beginning of the slow descent of their political careers that the previously mentioned duel occurred. Therefore, the duel served as a quicker, more abrupt stop to their careers. Without it, they would have just slowly faded away into history.
From the late 1700s to the early 1800s, the competition between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr swelled to breaking point. Precarious relations between the two New York politicians led to the pinnacle of all their disputes, one that would take the form of a deadly duel. First, relations tainted with distrust led to open attacks on each other; second, the two opposing political parties that each belonged to influenced their actions towards each other; third, ambitious goals of achieving their personal interests to fulfill their own particular visions of economic necessity often came into play. Therefore, because of social, political, and economic reasons, the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr inevitably came to a head.
The relationships between these two politicians have always been shaky. Ever since the year of 1791 when Hamilton’s father-in-law was defeated for a seat in the United States Senate by Burr, the competition between these highly ambitious men continued to be rekindled over and over again. Every time Burr tried to achieve a significant position in the government (as in the presidential election of 1800 and in the New York governor election in 1804), Hamilton worked to deprive him of the opportunity. In the same sense, Burr never passed up an opportunity to push Hamilton down a size, as was evident in early 1800 when Burr published what was intended to be a private document by Hamilton about John Adams. With their lives full of contests and intentional setbacks arranged by the other, Hamilton never had any love for Burr, believing that Burr harbored a dangerous and “questionable” character. The thought that Burr only cared for himself helped widen the gap between the two.
As if these factors didn’t do enough to contribute to the rivalry that would end in violence, both Hamilton and Burr belonged to different political parties, with Hamilton being a Federalist and Burr being a Democratic-Republican. Their political standings only reinforced the two’s resentment for each other, and as members of different political parties, their compulsion to oppose the other’s propositions was significantly strengthened. This detail within the political party system also spurred their grab for power in the government. Both wanted more influence and control over the country’s administration, and both were willing to do anything to keep it from being turned over to their rival, although both were already holding important positions in the government. Alexander Hamilton held the title of Treasury Secretary and was continuously undergoing many economic reforms to help stabilize the United States, while Aaron Burr would be vice president of the nation at the time he would duel Hamilton. But they wanted more, as well as the preservation of their honor, as exemplified by Burr when he challenged Hamilton to the fateful duel (in response to Hamilton’s offensive comment about him) in order to boost his political career, and exemplified by Hamilton when he refused to back out of the fight due to concern for his own profession.
Personal interest was a surprisingly large factor in beginning the opposition of both men. In 1791, Hamilton was personally vouching for his father-in-law, Philip Schuyler, to win a seat in the United States Senate. With a kin in the Senate to help influence that house’s decisions, Hamilton’s new economical measures had more chances of being passed. However, when Burr won the position, that hope of likely, easily-bought support vanished. With the defeat of his personal interest of gaining almost-guaranteed support for his own reforms pertaining to what he believed the country needed, bitterness towards Burr was born in Hamilton.
(Last paragraph)
Had the duel not happened, the United States would have been very different today. For one thing, Hamilton was on the road of drastic economic restructuring, what with his reforms for reorganizing public credit and properly funding a national debt, and would have greatly transformed our nation’s financial system. After all, it was his idea to centralize the government to create a self-sustaining economy. Yet on the other hand, the duel was the final aspect that destroyed Burr’s political career, and without it, Burr just might have succeeded in persuading the New England states to break from the Union, and our country today along with our country’s history of everything following that point may have been drastically altered.
Anthony Luna
Periods 3 and 4
In 1805, on July 11, in New Jersey, a duel commenced between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. This duel would seal Aaron Burr’s fate as a murderer. But first, what were the events and actions that caused this duel to take place; second what were the results from this duel; thirdly, what would have been the outcome of these two men if the duel never took place. The duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr would be one, that no one should forget, but could this of been a duel that could have been diverted? Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s conflicts started with political skirmishes, for Burr was a republican and Hamilton was a Federalist. Their first skirmish was when Burr took the seat in Senate from Hamilton’s father-in-law who would support his policies. Later, Burr would embarrass Hamilton by publishing a book, by Hamilton, that was meant for only private circulation. When Burr ran for governor, however, was when the two men would be pushed toward violence. Burr ran for governor and Hamilton tried to convince the Federalists not to support Burr. Burr lost, but not necessarily because of Hamilton. Hamilton later also spoke forcefully against Burr. Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel, in order to attempt to regain his political career. The duel took place and Alexander Hamilton was mortally wounded. He then said that he never shot at Burr and never intended too. Hamilton died the next day. This duel did not revive Burr’s career, it actually ended it. For later Burr would be charged with murder, and never held office again. If the skirmishes and duel never took place, great things could have been in store for Hamilton and Burr. If Aaron Burr did not have skirmishes and shoot Hamilton in a duel, he could have rose in political power just as he wished. He could have even become president, since he would not have had Hamilton getting in his way. As for Hamilton, he could have done very influential changes for the country. He could have created a stronger federal government, a stronger army, and could have even set up a great financial system in this country. If he was not shot he could have rose in political power, and himself become president. However, because both of these men were either rising in political power, or wanted more political power and that they were in different political parties, I believe this conflict between the two was unavoidable.
-Christian Filbrun
Cammie Gelbuda
Period 1 & 4
Aaron Burr challenges Alexander Hamilton to a battle. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr met on the Morning of July 11, 1804 in Weehawken, New Jersey. Many factors had led to this battle. First, Hamilton felt pleased to participate in the battle between Aaron Burr, even though he did not really want to; second the unfriendly-feeling between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton developed stronger when Aaron Burr conquered Alexander Hamilton’s father-in-law for a seat in the Congress; third, Alexander Hamilton made a history of movement challenges against Burr and spoiled his name.
When Aaron Burr challenged Alexander Hamilton to a battle, he believes his hysterical radical career would be re-energized if he won the battle. Alexander Hamilton wanted to shun the battle, but felt like he had to contribute. If he told the people that he did not want to contribute in the battle, Alexander Hamilton would lose his honor that all those people have in them. In a way he was very shocked. Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton met on the morning of July 11, 1804 in Weehawken, New Jersey. Shots were dismissed on both parties, Aaron Burr was left unharmed. Alexander Hamilton was wounded and died the next day. Instead, of helping Aaron Burr’s career as he hoped would happen, it ended it, he was never held in office again.
1791, Aaron Burr conquered Hamilton’s father-in-law, Phillip Schuyler. Phillip Schuler would have reinforced Hamilton and his politics if he was elected. This made his very upset. Alexander Hamilton wrote a bad document about John Adams which was supposed to be private. Burr got his hands on it, and published it so everyone could see it.
Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson went against each other; Alexander Hamilton forced the Congress to choose Thomas Jefferson. An event made violence between these men in 1804. Alexander Hamilton doubted and hated Aaron Burr, so he tried to get people not to vote for Aaron Burr and to vote for Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson eventually won the election in 1800, and Aaron Burr lost against Morgan Lewis in 1804 for the position of Government.
Since the creation of the Constitution in 1787, two men’s struggle for power of two men would shape America into the Nation we have today. Those two men were Arron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Their paths to history were intertwined and set to crash. Eventually leading to Hamilton’s death at the hands of Burr. Had these two power houses not leveled their sights at each other then America as we Know it would not exist. Reasons for this duel are as follows: First, The two were constantly trying to tear the opposite down to build themselves up; Second, Burr’s attempted rise to presidency; Thirdly, What the world would have been if the showdown had not happened. For some reason, Fate seemed to like to watch Hamilton and Burr fight. Even though the two were in separate parts of government, somehow they were able to argue over just about anything. Hamilton was constantly tearing down and insulting Burr in his attempt to rise for president. Burr, having served two terms as Vice President, desired to be president and looked for support. He received none from Hamilton and his federalists. Hamilton feared Burr’s hunger for power and constantly shoved him away from presidency. Hamilton, being the respected Secretary of Treasury and leader of the Federalists that he was, was very influential in his party, and if he opposed something it was likely not to pass. Finally having enough harassment from Hamilton, Burr challenged his tormentor to a duel. Hamilton accepted and plans were made. However before the date Burr actually contacted Hamilton and apologized and asked to call off the duel. Sadly Hamilton refused both the apology and the recalling of the duel. Sealing Hamilton’s Fate. Who still loved to watch these men fight. Had this duel not occurred America may not have become America. Maybe if Hamilton had not opposed Burr in becoming president maybe Burr would have seceded the New England states from the Union like his Democratic party wanted to. Starting the Civil War decades before it actually happened. Maybe Hamilton would have gotten us closer to a perfect economy that was impervious to collapse. Maybe we wouldn’t be America, we would be 22 small countries, not caring for the others. We’ll never know. But I do know that if you call Fate and ask her “Who shot Alexander Hamilton?” she wont need milk to tell you.
Amanda Jerd
Periods 3 and 6
The infamous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr occurred on July 11th, 1804 in New Jersey. Incredible power and intelligence was men were forever altered by the consequences of this “interview.” Because of intellectual differences, Aaron started the duel; Hamilton felt he had to fight it because his personal views led him to believe that he would be socially “shunned” if he did not fight; finally, the reverberations of the duel on Burr’s political career efficiently ended it.
Driven by personal vendettas the turn of the eighteenth century was host of the political conflicts of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Driven to destroy each other’s careers the shared antagonism lead them to a duel in New Jersey that lead to the ruin of them both, for Hamilton it was death, and Burr's future was decimated. Their mutual distrust and loathing stemmed for a multitude of causes: Firstly their standings and position in their opposing parties pushed their ideas to be directly conflicting to undermine the other; Secondly the social slander of each other's honor and reputation; Third they were defiant and refused to give up their positions or views in order to desperately cling to their power. With all this, it was a wonder the two didn’t go at each other’s throats earlier.
Hamilton's ideas as a Federalist clashed explosively with those of Republican Aaron Burr and commonly pitted them together. The first offence was Burr's stealing of a seat in senate from Hamilton's father in-law. Although this act was a personal strike against Hamilton it directly undermined a seat he needed to support his plans for a national bank, the major goal of his career. The election of 1800 saw a tie in for presidency between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, the lobbying and interfering by the hand of Hamilton swung the favor to Jefferson condemning Aaron to the Vice President's chair. Burr after discovering this treason used all of his political leeway to crush Hamilton's, now desperate, national bank. The two, honor and pride attacked, now searched for personal and social means to crush the other. Burr gain copies of a personal article of Hamilton’s, and in its circulation smashed his reputation within his party. Whereas Hamilton went and personally spoke about Burr with a great fervor, upon any chance he fancied. Mortified of his learning of the running of Burr in the new York election Hamilton once again set upon preventing Burr’s success. Although his efforts were not the primary cause of Burr’s defeat he could no longer continue to have his name defiled. And so they dueled, ruining their two lives, one in death, and one in exile.
Annika Newman
Periods 1 & 4 (I am aware that this blog response did not meet the requirements needed. I am planning to finish it tomorrow as a "redo".)
In the late 1700s and early nineteenth century, conflicts between two ambitious politicians, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, escalated into a hugely controversial duel to the death in Weehawken, New Jersey. The competitive nature of the two rivals became evident as they participated in a selfishly-motivated duel in 1804 after Aaron Burr's embarrassing loss in the recent election, resulting in controversy that would last for decades to come.
Bella Crosson
Period 1 & 4
On July 11, 1805, a duel was launched between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in New Jersey, sealing Aaron Burr’s outcome as a murderous man. Many different factors built up, leading the men to enter into this battle. First, because of their own distrust for each other, fighting was an almost inevitable outcome; second, their own personal views of their goals of a “perfect” economy conflicted; and third, their political parties’ ideas clashed with each other. Thus, for these social, economic, and political reasons, a duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr was an unavoidable event.
These two politicians had always had a very unstable relationship. Since the time when Burr beat out Hamilton’s father in law for the seat in the United States Senate, the two’s competition continues to be regenerated for many years up until this point. Hamilton tried to beat out Burr in every competition, and Burr also never passed up an opportunity to push Hamilton down. This was made evident when Burr published a previously intended private document about Hamilton to none other than John Adams. Burr was also thought only to care about himself, which helped widen the gap between the two.
The men’s own personal interest also plaid a big factor in their disapproval of the other. Hamilton’s father in law was running to be elected into the Senate in 1791, and with a family member by his side, Hamilton’s economic ideas had a greater chance of passing. Unfortunately for him, Burr won the position and Hamilton’s support vanished. This was thought to have been the start of Hamilton’s bitterness towards Burr.
With Alexander Hamilton being a Federalist and Aaron Burr being a Democratic-Republican, it only helped further their dislike for one another. As members of different parties, they built up a tendency to always oppose the other, spurring their need for political power. Both men wanted to have control over the new government, and could not bear to think that the other might possibly defeat them in their mission. Hamilton was continuously proposing economic reforms, for he was the Treasury Secretary. However, Aaron Burr was the Vice President. Unfortunately, both thought their honor was at stake, which was shown through Burr’s challenge. The men refused to back down, worried about their jobs, for they mutually wanted to boost their careers.
In 1804, July 11, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr had a duel in Weehawken, in the state of New Jersey. The actual purpose of this duel was the conclusion to a lifelong political duel between the two. This duel will leave Burr wanted for murder, and Hamilton with a bullet in him. Leading up to this duel are important key events that happened. First, in 1791 Aaron Burr took the seat in the Senate from Hamilton’s father-in-law, Phlip Schuyler; Second, in 1800 Burr had gotten his hands on a book that Hamilton wrote, intending for it to be in a private circulation; Thirdly, when Burr and Hamilton battled for the New York Governor election.
When Burr had obtained the seat in Senate, which was important to Hamilton that it belonged to his power-full father-in-law, Hamilton was inflamed with the fact that his father-in-law could no longer support his policies. Hamilton at this time was the Secretary of Treasury, and when Burr had won the election, Hamilton wrote something along the lines that Burr is unprincipled. That he only sides for something if it is to his benefit, or his own liking.
The book that Hamilton had wrote was one that criticized Adams. This book has proven to be a very embarrassing thing for Hamilton if others not of the intended use of it were to get it, such as Burr. Also, in this year, 1800, Burr and Jefferson tied for presidency. Hamilton, despising Burr, tried his best efforts to get the Congress to elect Jefferson. Even though his tries were of little effect, Jefferson still won in the election.
In the year 1804, when Burr and Hamilton were running for governor, Burr ran as an independent rather than as a Republican and hoped for the idea that by winning this election, it would regain him power. Hamilton, once again tried with all he had to not let Congress vote for Burr. As a result, like his other attempt, it was of little effect. Although Hamilton’s campaign did not help his cause very much, Burr still lost the election to Morgan Lewis.
Steven Fraser
Period 6
Two exemplary American men, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, dueled for power from the late 1700s to the early 1800s. These conflicts were the byproduct of a new government desperately trying to define its place in the world. The political parties that each supported (Federalists and Democratic-Republicans) led to conflict between the two over control of the government. Their mutual dislike of one another led to the infamous duel in which only Burr walked away alive. The tension between the two has no simple explanation: First, The rise of politics made these two obvious enemies; Second, worsening public images made them jump at any chance to proven themselves; Third, both were determined to remain in control so they could enforce their ideas. Burr and Hamilton, though their own actions, brought an end to their once promising careers.
As the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton was the leading economic mind of his time. His formation of the National Bank ensured that America would have the financial stability to remain and expand itself, eventually playing an important role in the world economy. But he had to fight a long and bitter battle to get congress to support his plan. The rise of political parties like the Federalists and Republicans, created a new era of “bare knuckle” politics. The first signs of conflict between Burr and Hamilton were the election of 1800 when Hamilton gave his all to ensure that Jefferson was elected president over Burr such was his dislike for the man. In retaliation Burr used all of his political power to help Jefferson’s fight against the National Bank, Hamilton’s pet project. These men realized by 1804 that their public image was rapidly souring and soon became desperate to retain any shred of power they could. Burr blamed Hamilton for his failure to win New York’s governor election and when Hamilton would not take back his comments about Burrs character, Burr challenged him and Hamilton reluctantly agreed. After its conclusion neither had any chance of a political career and only Burr still had his life. Because of this reckless and immature behavior America lost two of its brightest minds. If this encounter had never happened Hamilton’s national bank might have been a success and if Burr would not have been cast out by his republican brothers he could have went on to become the president.
The duel between Hamilton and Burr had staggering consequences for the country. The death of Alexander Hamilton was a precursor to the decline and eventual extinction of the Federalist Party as it succumbed to inter fighting. Aaron Burr did not fare much better, with his dreams of the presidency gone he tried to establish his own country planting the idea of secession in the region around the Mississippi River.
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton obtained different world views during the early 1800’s by leading separate lives and undergoing separate events in their positions of legislative power. One of the most prominently featured occurrences is that of the final gun duel, defining much of how their pasts affected the impending outcome (Burr being accused of murder and Hamilton becoming gravely injured, leading to his death). First, conflicting political viewpoints was the basis of the instigation for the skirmish; Second, Burr’s intellectual/mental sense of livelihood was shattered as an end result; and third, socially, people such as Philip Schuyler and Morgan Lewis, as well as bruised pride, pushed them into a personal corner of their constitutionality concluding in public accusations. Thus, through the hodgepodge of actions, penalties, and societies/supporters backlash, there was both strong support as well as purpose regarding the establishment and aftermath of the battle. First, the inconsistent governmental viewpoints according to Hamilton and Burr were the beginning of their personal and political conflict. Burr was a Republican and Hamilton was a Federalist, setting the stage for all eventual struggles. For instance, in 1800 Burr obtained and published “The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States.,” Hamilton was the author and because this contained accusatory claims against John Adams, Hamilton had wanted it to be kept private. But once it made its way successfully out to the general public, it gave Hamilton’s campaign the kick to the curb, in the end allowing Jefferson to emerge victorious in a later portion of the election. But the inducement that brought the two to a violent high was the governor’s race of 1804 in New York. Burr firmly believed at the time that if he were to win over New York then he would regain power that had been lost, in his eyes that meant running solo without any other Republicans. Hamilton’s drive to defeat Burr at costs was one of the leading factors of his triumph. Burr became crestfallen at this realization and sought retaliation desperately. Second, Burr’s very desperation was his downfall, destroying everything he had wanted to gain in this election. There had been a slight, triggering the vehement clash between the two running mates. Hamilton was challenged to this gunfight by Burr himself, leaving Hamilton little leeway to avoid it altogether understanding that his political lead was about to come to an abrupt end no matter what he chose to do. In addition, repercussions of Hamilton’s choice were not going to go unnoticed by anyone anytime soon. What Burr was unaware of before he began this skirmish proved to be his ultimate undoing. Collapsing onto the earth, Hamilton became fatally wounded, dying the following day. Third, Philip Schuyler as well as Morgan Lewis played a part in the launch of the duel that spiraled to the point of no return and brought on a world hurt vanity to Burr especially. (Continued...)
(Continuation of last post)Their original source of conflict stemmed from an event in 1791, when Burr had obtained a seat in the United States Senate from Schuyler. Hamilton would have had the opportunity to reply on Schuyler’s backing, so after he understood what had just taken place, so began a long-term grudge, the first but certainly not the last ripple in their political relationship. Morgan Lewis (a fellow Republican) on the other hand, completely annihilated Burr shortly after his defeat by Hamilton in New York. This silently nudged Burr closer and closer to his public gunfight and towards questioning of his own constitutionality aided by society. Due to civil variances, emotive and mental outbursts, and social disruptions, gave way to the unfortunate outcome. Yet, one cannot help but wonder how things may have ended had neither Hamilton nor Burr encountered these fatefully impeding obstructions. Burr’s reputation likely would have taken a turn for the better at some point, but consequently Hamilton would emerge the victor. Our country as we know it could have been altered under one more Federalist ruling. Not only would that, but the opposition between Burr and the United States Congress have noticeably lessened. Nonetheless, some things do happen for a reason.
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton were both on a path heading towards each other driven from their competitive nature and ambitions. In 1804 Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton had a duel which left Burr untouched and Hamilton mortally wounded and would die the next day. The three key factors that led up to the duel between the two were, 1. Burr won the election over Schuyler; 2. Burr published a document that embarrassed Hamilton; 3. Burr ran for governor of New York which upset Hamilton. Therefore, these three factors eventually led to the violence between them.
Alexander Hamilton’s Father in law (Schuyler) had a senate seat and was used by Hamilton to support his policies. But when Aaron Burr won the election for Schuyler’s senate seat in 1791, Hamilton then had to look for someone else to support his policies. Humiliations ‘war’ with Burr had just started.
Hamilton had written “The public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., The President of The United States”, but only for private use and not for publication. Burr had somehow gotten a copy of it and had published it. This turned out to be embarrassing for Hamilton because the document was very critical of John Adams who was a Federalist, like Hamilton. Later that year, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied for President. To get back at Burr Hamilton tried to convince Congress to elect Jefferson which worked and Burr lost.
None of these instances led to violence between the two until Burr ran for Governor of New York in 1804. Once again, Hamilton went against Burr and campaigned for Morgan Lewis. Hamilton’s campaigning was probably not the reason why Morgan won, but he still crushed Burr in the election. This led Burr to challenge Hamilton to a duel, which ended up killing Hamilton and leaving Burr untouched and wanted for murder.
Had the duel never happened, Aaron burr would have maybe held office again after his vice presidency and would still have a political carrier as well as a positive public view. Alexander Hamilton might have still held his position for a longer period of time and the ‘war’ between the two would still continue.
Edith Chavez
Periods 1 and 6
On July 11, 1804 Alexander Hamilton went to duel Aaron Burr near New Jersey, Hamilton left the battle mortally wounded though his political career was already dead from before he even agreed to the duel. The was a lot of bad blood between Burr and Hamilton that led to this duel, today it would seem ridiculous to have a duel for their reasons but at their time it was their idea of how to keep or gain one’s honor. The causes of the duel were the warring parties they belonged to; the tempers and ambitions of the two men; and social pressures each felt were imposed on them by the rest of society. Burr hoped to take down Hamilton in the duel and help himself but it backfired and Aaron Burr instead ended his career and Hamilton’s.
Hamilton was on the Federalist side wanting a big centralized government while Aaron Burr was on the opposite side of politics with the Republicans. Hamilton and Burr first came into conflict in 1791 when Federalist Philip Schuyler-Hamilton’s father-in-law- lost his seat in the United States Senate to Aaron Burr. Hamilton- treasurer at that time- was counting on having Schuyler in Senate to support his Federalist parties. Hamilton, needless to say, was incredibly angry at Burr at foiling his plans. Burr managed to further sway some more power to his party when he published "The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States.," that Hamilton wanted only for “private circulation”. Due to the content in there, Hamilton only helped weaken his party by causing greater tensions to arise, much to the pleasure of Burr. Hamilton, however, had quite a temper and decide to return the favors when he worked against Burr’s run for governor of New York in 1804, Hamilton didn’t have much effect on Burr’s failed campaign. Burr was infuriated further when Hamilton worked to ensure Jefferson’s presidency so to make sure Aaron Burr would fail to get the position. Hamilton temper caused the Federalist to later make many rude comments to Burr which enraged Burr to the extent that he challenged Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton’s career was already over. He wrote in several letters to his wife that he didn’t want to hurt Burr and would refuse to fire but he had to go to the duel. The reason for this was he couldn’t negate that he had insulted Burr since that would strip Hamilton of his honor but so would admitting to it. So they dueled, Aaron Burr’s bullet mortally wounded Hamilton who died the next day and Burr ended his political career by having engaged in the illegal activity- defeating his intent of perhaps giving himself a boost. Had Hamilton kept his foul mouth shut, he could have created a more centralized government which would have led to a stronger and more centralized government today. Burr could have also continued his career despite Hamilton’s dirty words if he hadn’t dueled him, then perhaps he could have ran again for president and resulting in a drastically different America today. But what could have become of these two characters will never be known, all that it really is known is how their attitudes both built them up and tore them down.
I very much appreciate those of you above who are making the effort to meet your deadlines. This is a skill that will stand you in good stead outside of school, too. Thanks for being self-motivated!
Around 7:00 A.M. on July 11th, 1884 on a New Jersey shoreline, Alexander Hamilton was mortally wounded in a duel with Aaron Burr. The death of Hamilton signaled the end of Aaron Burr's career and one of the most brilliant economists in American history's life, Alexander Hamilton. Several factors led to this duel which destroyed two of America’s most promising and influential politicians during this time. First, socially Hamilton was angered at Burr defeating his father-in-law in the race for a seat in the senate and Burr was angered that Hamilton chose Jefferson over him; second, the outcome of the duel politically ruined Burr by blackening his name and also ruined Hamilton’s by taking his life; third, the duel “stole” two of the most influential and brilliant economists’ career and as a direct result stole away two essential cogs in the infant nations economy. Therefore, because of the social, economical, and political factors the duel between Burr and Hamilton ruined two of the most renowned politicians of their time period.
Socially, the duel was precipitated by events which embarrassed both of ambitious and prideful politicians. Burr, before the duel, beat Alexander Hamilton’s father-in-law for New York’s senate seat. This put a bad taste in Hamilton’s mouth and further strained the relationship of the Federalist and Republican. This pushed the politicians to the brink, as it was an embarrassment to Hamilton’s social honor, as well as a humiliating blow to Hamilton’s Federalists party which was already beginning to wane. Another event that further led to the eventually fatal duel was Hamilton and his Federalist party, who threw their political weight around when they threw the election to Jefferson when the tied electoral votes went to the House.
Politically, the duel ruined Burr’s name and killed Hamilton’s, quite literally, and changed America’s political future by taking away two potential major figures in the political scene. Hamilton up to this point in history had shaped America’s economy and saved it from the suffocating debt. If Hamilton would have survived the duel, who knows how he would have shaped the economic future, maybe the Federalist Party would not have died out. However, this final action in a way summed up and completed Hamilton’s life by ruining his arch-rival Burr’s. Burr, even though he had not became the president in his tied election with Jefferson, he had a possibility of becoming president in the future, but with his killing shot he threw this away and was insured that he would not be the Vice President, even if Jefferson did not drop him.
Economically, the duel shifted and shaped America’s future economy by “taking” the life (one literally and one figuratively) of two of the most influential economists. Alexander Hamilton had saved the U.S.’ economy and had implemented a successful plan for the future of the economy; Hamilton was the “ideas man” for the economy. His death had a profound effect on the future of the U.S. and shaped the future of the U.S. If Hamilton had not been killed than maybe the bank would have not been defeated and the panic of 1837 may have been wholly avoided. Burr, another successful politician and economists, if he had not killed Hamilton may have gone on to become the next president. However, in a way the outcome of the duel showed the true rival’s idea of each other; Hamilton was willing to do whatever it took to ruin Burr, even die, and Burr was willing to kill Hamilton, his arch-rival, even in cold blood.
These two ambitious men, in a way completed their life’s work, but took away two of the U.S. most influential and promising economists and politicians.
Tristan Mauricio
Periods 1&6
In the late 1700s and the early 1800s two great men would trade blows with each other. Those two men were Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, they were both men of great influence and the nation could only watch in fear when the two political giants went head to head. First it all started when the younger Aaron Burr had stolen the senate seat from Hamilton’s influential father in law which would set Hamilton’s hate ablaze; secondly these two would never rest until he saw the demise of their career or their life; lastly nothing good came out of the dirty politics but instead lost not one but two founding fathers who had the power to split the new country in two. That fateful duel which destroyed both of the men’s lives could have been avoided from the beginning but hate drove them to their deaths
Before Alexander Hamilton ever heard of his greatest adversary he had a lot of pull in the brand new American Government. He was truly a revolutionary and the man behind the scenes that could support the government by himself if it became necessary. Hamilton was a man among men, he was the man who solved the War debt in a relative short amount of time and was the man who was able to convince George Washington to become our very first President. However all of that changed when Aaron Burr had taken a key position in the Senate, a man who would be able to enforce Hamilton’s policies, who also happened to be his father in law. And with that fateful event the firsts shot was fired.
Alexander Hamilton was not only greatly involved in the Government but he was also the main writer of a very influential newspaper and had a grudge against Burr. Aaron Burr became a powerful politician despite Hamilton’s efforts to prevent it, so instead he began to publish newspapers that could have destroyed Burr’s career. Aaron Burr was so powerful at the time he almost convinced New England to secede from the Union but luckily Hamilton found out. Hamilton was looking for a chance to get back at him after Burr published the private pamphlet that worked against it. If Hamilton had forgiven Burr before he published that pamphlet things could have been totally different but things would only get worse.
Aaron Burr’s political career was destroyed when Hamilton had revealed his secret plan to take New England out of the Union. The embarrassment and shock was too great for Aaron Burr to comprehend so he decided to take out his frustration on the man who ruined him, Alexander Hamilton. If Aaron Burr and his fellow party members had waited for a better time the duel and the death of the brilliant Alexander Hamilton could have been avoided. The nation was saved but at the cost of two powerful founding fathers.
Perhaps if the two had worked together from the start the country’s seconomic state could have gotten better. Alexander Hamilton had fixed the problem and was in the process of setting us up for generations to come but his death was sure to come after his little fight had gotten out of control. Aaron Burr had become powerful in a short amount of time and could have even become President if his greed hadn’t have gotten the way. Together they could have done great things.
During the beginning stages of the new nation in the late 1700s and early 1800s, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr clashed over political and personal differences. Although they were both patriots who strove to define the new nation’s identity, their conflicts led to an inevitable breaking point, in which a pistol duel resulted in Alexander Hamilton’s death and Aaron Burr’s reputation being destroyed. Three factors explain the causes and effects of the duel for power. First, both men belonged to different political parties, and their political disagreements often led to social conflicts; second, Burr and Hamilton were both very ambitious men willing to do almost anything to hold their position or advance their status; third, the duel between the two men robbed the nation of two superb economists that could have shaped America’s economy. Therefore, political, social, and economic disputes between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton led to a destructive duel, and it closed the doors for the two mens’ promising futures.
Political differences initiated the rivalry between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. To start off with, Hamilton was a Federalist, and Burr was a Republican. This meant inevitable clashes in the political arena, but relations became more strained when Burr captured a United States Senate seat from Philip Schuyler, Hamilton's prestigious father-in-law. This made Hamilton furious, because he would have counted on Schuyler to support his policies as Treasury secretary. Another clash happened in 1800, when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied in balloting for the presidency. Hamilton then persuaded congress to support Jefferson, and Burr lost the election. Although Hamilton’s appeal had little effect on the election, it did raise tensions between the two men. Thus, political disputes started the conflict between Hamilton and Burr, and then social struggles erupted.
Having already established a rivalry, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr attempted to chisel away at the other’s reputation. It can be said that the two men used “bare-knuckle” politics, and in many ways, it worked. For example, in 1800, Burr obtained and published "The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States.," which criticized Adams, a Federalist like Hamilton. Although Hamilton had written it, he had no intention of releasing it to the public. This action embarrassed Hamilton and it hurt the Federalist Party. The combined political and social jabs between Hamilton and Burr eventually led to a pistol duel.
The duel between Hamilton and Burr had a negative impact on the American economy. Alexander Hamilton’s death probably bore the worst consequence because it resulted in the decline and ruin of the Federalist party, the bank being weakened, possibly leading to its defeat in the Panic of 1837, and a mind full of brilliant ideas lost. Also, Burr may have become president, providing his innovative executive skills to the nation. If the duel had been avoided, the country would have had stronger leadership to carry it through the hard economic times later on. Thus, the duel between the Hamilton and Burr robbed the country of two great political and economic leaders that could have made great contributions to the economy.
Obviously, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr possessed many skills that could have made remarkable contributions to the infant nation. Unfortunately, an insatiable hunger for more power, and a sense of heated rivalry led the two men to ruin. Thus, political, social, and economic factors were the causes and effects of the great duel for power.
Annika Newman
Periods 1 & 4
In the late 1700s and early nineteenth century, conflicts between two ambitious politicians, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, escalated into a hugely controversial duel to the death in Weehawken, New Jersey. The competitive nature of the two rivals became evident as they participated in a selfishly-motivated duel in 1804, resulting in a controversy that would last for decades to come. First, the tense feelings between one another grew even stronger after Hamilton's father-in-law lost his seat in the Senate to Burr; second, the ruthless campaigning against one another established long-lasting reputations that created an irrefutable bitterness between the two politicians; and thirdly, Burr's embarrassing loss in the election of 1804 consequentially set off his built-up malice and forced Hamilton to participate in a duel. Therefore, heterogenous distinctions, both personal and political, resulted in a contentious battle that demolished further opportunity for both men to make a positive impact on the United States.
Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist, and Aaron Burr, a Republican, continuously clashed on the political stage. In 1791, Burr effectively won a seat in the United States Senate from Hamilton's father-in-law, Philip Schuyler. At the time, Hamilton was secretary of Treasury, and relied on Schuyler to support his economic policies. Thus, after Burr saw victory in the election, Hamilton was infuriated. A growing hate towards one another eventually led to brutal and unforgivable campaigning in the New York governor's election of 1804. Burr decided to run as an independent in this election, after abandoning the Republican party. Aaron Burr felt that if he were to win the election, he would regain lost power. Hamilton, lacking trust in Burr and utterly despising the man, was disconcerted at the idea of Burr obtaining office as the governor of New York. In result, Hamilton attempted to persuade the Federalists of New York that Burr was not to be supported. Hamilton's efforts were shown effective when Burr lost the election by a landslide, creating an overwhelming hate between the two politicians. Despite Hamilton's opposition, the two men participated in a duel on the morning of July 11, 1804 to energize their political careers and gain honor. The duel resulted in the death of Alexander Hamilton after Burr unfairly fired his pistol twice. Because of Burr's double fire, the duel aided in ending his political career, as opposed to reviving it. He was charged with two counts of murder, and never held office again after his vice presidential term ended.
This controversial duel destroyed all possibility for either man to have a positive impact on the United States from then on. If the duel had never taken place, Alexander Hamilton would have most likely been Thomas Jefferson's chief adversary in the president's attempt at a strike against the conservative Supreme Court. Hamilton, considered to be one of the best lawyers nation, would have also defended Associate Justice Samuel Chase in the developing impeachment trial. Hamilton would most likely have ran for president, and if elected would have cancelled the embargo, restoring American forces in trade and strengthening the U.S. Navy. Aaron Burr, on the other hand, would probably have not been taken seriously if the duel had never taken place. Very few people would have paid much attention to him, as he would have been limited to the title of “losing candidate for governor of New York”. He would not have any way to gain power once again, and would eventually disappear from politics altogether. Had the duel never taken place, the future of the United States government would have changed entirely.
Sorry, my computer was having some hardware issues. Here's whatI have so far:
The late 1700s and early 1800s, a key time frame in the formation of the fledgling United States, gave rise to one of the most notorious hostile relationships in the history of this country that of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. On July 11, 1804 Alexander Hamilton went to duel Aaron Burr near New Jersey, Hamilton left the battle mortally wounded though his political career was already dead from before he even agreed to the duel. Ever since their first disagreements in politics, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were both very influential people to the United States; Aaron Burr was running to become president of the United States, while Alexander Hamilton was secretary of Treasury. Alexander Hamilton held the title of Treasury Secretary and was continuously undergoing many economic reforms to help stabilize the United States, while Aaron Burr would be vice president of the nation at the time he would duel Hamilton. First, in 1791 Aaron Burr took the seat in the Senate from Hamilton’s father in law, Phlip Schuyler; Second, in 1800 Burr had gotten his hands on a book that Hamilton wrote, intending for it to be in a private circulation; Thirdly, when Burr and Hamilton battled for the New York Governor election. As if these factors didn’t do enough to contribute to the rivalry that would end in violence, both Hamilton and Burr belonged to different political parties, with Hamilton being a Federalist and Burr being a Democratic Republican. But they wanted more, as well as the preservation of their honor, as exemplified by Burr when he challenged Hamilton to the fateful duel (in response to Hamilton’s offensive comment about him) in order to boost his political career, and exemplified by Hamilton when he refused to back out of the fight due to concern for his own profession. Thus, for social political and economic reasons Hamilton’s death impacted American history.
As the United States was leaving its early years, two powerful political parties had emerged, setting the stage for future generations. Belonging to these two early political parties were Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist, and Aaron Burr, a Republican. The political antagony between these two men was to be expected, seeing as both were dangerously proud and heavily opinionated, but it took several crucial factors to lead up to their infamous duel in 1804: first, their devotion to their parties set them up as natural political enemies; second, Hamilton thwarted Burr's political career multiple times; and third, both Hamilton's and Burr's career and influence were dwindling, making them believe a duel would revive their past power. Therefore, due to three distinctive factors, the duel between Hamilton and Burr resulted in the instantaneous dissolution of both men's careers.
Alexander Hamilton's achievements as Secretary of Treasury won him both friends and fiends. Many of his radical plans for the Union were thwarted for Republicans, of whom Aaron Burr stood amongst. When Burr captured an important seat in the Senate over Philip Schuyler, a Federalist, Hamilton lost some of the support he needed to pass his controversial policies. This was only the beginning of the lasting enmity between the two. In 1800, after a tie in the presidential campaign between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, Hamilton fought tooth and nail for the election of Jefferson over Burr. Furthermore, in the race for governor of New York city, Hamilton once again obstructed Burr's political career. By 1804, Burr's career was flagging, as was Hamilton's influence. Burr believed that a victorious duel with Hamilton would win him back his power. However, once Burr fatally wounded Hamilton while he walked away without a scratch, his career was instantaneously ruined. Burr would never again hold any sort of national power, and Hamilton died the next day. Although the duel effectively ended both men's careers, it only speeded up the process of what would have eventually happened. Burr and Hamilton were already losing importance before the duel, and it only have been a matter of time, before their careers would have been over.
Because of the proud and competitive nature of Hamilton and Burr, their rivalry quickly escalated to a dangerous level. Both men contributed important achievements during the height of their power, but their antagonism was their eventual downfall.
In the late 18th century and early 19th century in the United States of America dueling changed American history. The political careers of the political enemies Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton could have been a lot different if they hadn’t dueled. Leading up to the duel mudslinging had become a popular practice in the political arena; dueling was a confusing concept; and their careers could have become infamous. If the duel between Aaron burr and alexander Hamilton hadn’t happened we would remember them very differently.
Mudslinging had become a common practice in the late 18th century political arena .When Burr defeated Hamilton’s father-in-law in a race for the U.S. Senate, Hamilton said, “I fear Mr. Burr is unprincipled, both as a public and a private man. In fact, I take it he is for or against nothing but as it suits his interest and ambition”; this caused the political rift between Burr and Hamilton. Then when Aaron burr ran for vice president and there was a tie with Thomas Jefferson Hamilton threw his support with Jefferson saying “at least he’s honest”. Then in the 1804 New York governor election where burr ran as an independent, Hamilton tried to convince the New York federalists not to support burr in the election. Burr failed to be elected governor, it is questionable if Hamilton’s medaling was the cause of this but the damage was done. Finally when Hamilton attended a dinner with Dr. Charles D. Cooper where he berated burr, Dr. Charles D. Cooper later wrote Philip Schuyler where he made reference to Hamilton’s berated account of Burr. This letter was then published in the Albany register. This lead to Burr challenging Hamilton to a duel.
The way that burr and Hamilton settled their dispute was with a duel which back then was a confusing concept. When dueling a way for both duelers to escape unscathed was to throw away your fire by shooting above or away of your opponent but burr didn’t know this so when Hamilton threw away his fire, burr took aim and fired hitting Hamilton. The bullet hit him in the lower abdomen and lodged next to his spine and at first paralyzed him and then a day later then killed him. If burr had known about the idea of throwing away ones fire I believe the duel would have ended with both walking away unharmed. An interesting point was just a few years earlier Hamilton’s son died when he threw away his fire but then his opponent shot him.
Finally if the duel had been avoided I believe burr and Hamilton’s political careers would have become infamous for a different reason. If Hamilton had continued his career he would have been a strong force in the Federalist Party. He probably would have gone on to be a big force to try and get all of the corrupt members of the government out of office. If burr had not ruined his political career I believe he may have become governor or maybe even president.
During the infant years of America the Federalist and Republicans had a monopoly on the political landscape. This early era was plagued with bitter partisan rivalry and the enmities between these parties were so virulent that escalated to murder as depicted in the case of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton duel. The proximate factors that lead to this fateful duel were Burrs attempts to create a rift in the Federalist Party; Hamilton’s attempts to disenfranchise Burr’s political career; and personal attacks launched by both people that transcended issues of policy. These malicious actions that were meant to ruin each other’s personal and political lives ultimately set these brawling politicians on trajectory for death. During the Adam’s administration Hamilton was highly critical of John Adams and wrote "The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States.," which attacked Adams and this was meant for private circulation but Burr retrieved a copy and published it. This greatly embarrassed Hamilton and not only created wider rifts in the Federalist Party but was attempt by Burr to split the party. Burr also was trying to get Hamilton casted out from his own party as a way to end his illustrious political career. Obliviously this enraged Hamilton because this scandal caused him to loose partisan support and this tainted his opinion on Burr. When the election of 1800 went to Congress Hamilton ardently supported Jefferson over Burr for the presidency. This outspoken opposition to Burr as president definitely hurt his chances of becoming president because Hamilton was prestigious and trusted member in Government. In the New York governor’s election of 1804 Hamilton attempted to rally the Federalist against Aaron Burr even though Hamilton’s effort did contribute greatly to Burrs decimation in the election it still enrage Burr. Aaron was livid after Hamilton’s second successful attempt at derailing Burr’s political career. Burr knew if he was going to revive his floundering political career he needed to dispose of Hamilton. The thwarting of Burr’s goal to revive his political career in New York caused him to act out of his own selfish desperation and challenges Hamilton to a duel as last ditch effort reclaim his political prominence. Alexander Hamilton at a dinner party spoke of Burr in forcible and despicable manner and these words that Hamilton uttered were eventually published and read by Burr. Hamilton went to attack Burr’s moral character which is significant because attacking his moral character ruined his political career. He also felt that he lost his honor by having those statements published and Burr felt a need avenge his character by challenging Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton also looking to protect his honor had to accept Burr’s challenge or else he would have lost his honor. The Burr-Hamilton duel could have been avoided if one these men could have kept their ego in check and realize that a duel would mutually detrimental.
On July 11, 1804 Hamilton stepped fatefully onto a dueling ground in New Jersey with Aaron Burr. It was his death that caused a change in America as a country or perhaps a lack of change. This change or lack thereof had an impact socially because of the after math of the battle, including both Hamilton’s death and his murderer’s sudden disappearance; politically because he was a main figure in the Federalist Party; and economically, because of Hamilton’s plan for the national economy and how it was not followed through. Thus, for social political and economic reasons Hamilton’s death impacted American history.
The social effects of Hamilton’s death changed the some of the laws in America and again brought up the issue of certain state laws vs. other state laws. It was not just the actual dying of Hamilton that affected the nation socially it was how he died. Aaron Burr was the man that killed Hamilton in the legal duel in New Jersey; the problem was that federally Burr had committed murder but instead of going to his trial he fled into the west. Thus simultaneously the two biggest names in banking and finance were gone. This left the public in awe that seemingly overnight both leaders were gone. Politically, Hamilton’s death had an impact on America because he was a main figure in the Federalist Party. Although somewhat rocky in the beginning Hamilton’s relationship with the Federalist Party was solidified by the end of his life. So much so that when he died the Federalist Party took a major blow. Their major financial leader and creator of the current economy of the United States had died and so they scrambled to find a new one. This political unrest characterized the early 1800’s. Economically, Hamilton probably had a few more ideas up his sleeve and therefore his death changed America’s future because none of those potential ideas were ever brought up or decided upon with the same influence and backing that might have arisen with Hamilton.
Nick Palmares
per. 1,4
from the late 1700s to the early 1800s, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, battled for power. The political parties that each supported, Federalists and Democratic Republicans, led to conflict between the two over control of the government. Their dislike of one another had led to the duel in which only Burr walked away alive. The tension between the two has no simple explanation: First, The rise of politics made these two obvious enemies; Second, worsening public images made them jump at any chance to proven themselves; Third, both were determined to remain in control so they could enforce their ideas. Burr and Hamilton, though their own actions, brought an end to their once promising careers.
Alexander Hamilton was the leading economic mind of his time. His formation of the National Bank ensured that America would have the financial stability to remain and expand itself, eventually playing an important role in the world economy. But he had to fight a long and bitter battle to get congress to support his plan. The rise of political parties like the Federalists and Republicans, created a new era of “bare knuckle” politics. The first signs of conflict between Burr and Hamilton were the election of 1800 when Hamilton gave his all to ensure that Jefferson was elected president over Burr such was his dislike for the man. In retaliation Burr used all of his political power to help Jefferson’s fight against the National Bank, Hamilton’s pet project. These men realized by 1804 that their public image was rapidly souring and soon became desperate to retain any shred of power they could. Burr blamed Hamilton for his failure to win New York’s governor election and when Hamilton would not take back his comments about Burrs character, Burr challenged him and Hamilton reluctantly agreed. After its conclusion neither had any chance of a political career and only Burr still had his life. Because of this reckless and immature behavior America lost two of its brightest minds. If this encounter had never happened Hamilton’s national bank might have been a success and if Burr would not have been cast out by his republican brothers he could have went on to become the president.
The duel between Hamilton and Burr had staggering consequences for the country. The death of Alexander Hamilton was a precursor to the decline and eventual extinction of the Federalist Party as it succumbed to inter fighting. Aaron Burr did not fare much better, with his dreams of the presidency gone he tried to establish his own country planting the idea of secession in the region around the Mississippi River.
As Aaron Burr as a federalist and Alexander Hamilton as a republican, conflict arose when the two parties clashed in the fight for presidential office. Political issues of the party differences; the social issue of the publication of Hamilton's book meant only for a selected few know as
"The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States" which caused an embarrassing reputation for Hamilton; and the outcome of the duel between the two candidates. This resulted to the fall of Burr's career caused by Hamilton's death.
The book, " The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United states" was written only for Hamilton and the few people that he chose to share it with. Once it had been traded through hands of different political figures, it got into the hands of Aaron Burr. After reading it, Burr decided to publish it under Hamilton's name. This private book, was a very embarrassing attribute to Hamilton's figure.
The conflict didn't stop there. Hamilton seized Burr's ability to win the Governorship of New York. Burr got back at Hamilton by winning the U.S. senate chair which was recently possessed by Hamilton's father-in-law. Hamilton was especially angry at the fact that Burr succeeded in the possession of the U.S. Senate chair since Hamilton relied on his father in law's support and contributions to him campaign.
Hamilton was so furious. To show that the rumors are true of Hamilton's short temper, history states that he accepted the duel that Burr offered. The two political figures stepped into the valley to duel. The rule of a duel states the following:
The parties being placed at their stations, the second who gives the word shall ask them whether they are ready; being answered in the affirmative, he shall say- present! After this the parties shall present and fire when they please. If one fires before the other, the opposite second shall say one, two, three, fire, and he shall then fire or lose his fire.
The two shot at each other. Hamilton missed and Burr succeeded. Hamilton died the next day and Burr was charged with murder. Do to the two candidate’s immaturity, ones life was taken and the others was ruined.
Krizelle DeGuzman
Period 1 and 4
Ever since the late 1700's and the early 1800's, there were rivalries between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. With the formation of political parties, Hamilton and Burr were always against each other in an attempt to win their parties interests; until Burr finally challenged Hamilton to a duel. First, political differences between these two great men would obviously cause friction; Second, Hamilton was always influencing the way people saw Burr which caused Burr to hate Hamilton all the more as well as the other way around; Third, Hamilton feared that he would be socially shunned and lose his honor if he didn't accept this duel. Therefore, for both political and social reasons, the two men would face each other in a duel.
In 1791 the first big thing that caused Hamilton and Burr to clash was when Burr won the Senate seat against Philip Schuyler, Hamilton's father in law. If Schuyler had won then Hamilton could have expected the support of him in regards to his policies, but since Burr won the seat, Hamilton's support was lost which led to Hamilton later writing badly of him. Hamilton had also always let it be known that he believed that Burr was only in politics for personal gain, saying it was his "religious duty" to keep Burr out of office. Burr also humiliated Hamilton by obtaining and publishing "The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States.," which was written by Hamilton, had been intended to be seen by few, and deeply humiliated the author. But it was the race to be governor of New York in 1804 that finally led to Burr challenging Hamilton. Hamilton accepted the challenge because of politics. He was very reluctant to participate in the duel at first but feared his honor would be lost if he cowered in fear, so he finally accepted. The duel ended Alexander Hamilton's life as well as ending Aaron Burr's political career.
David Lua
Periods 1 and 4
During the late 1700s and early 1800s, a rivalry took place between two of our nations historical figures, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr; the two dueled for what seemed to be in respect within early America. First of all, the two men were very emulous and had high hopes to crush the other in order to acquire victory; secondly, due to the different beliefs of the Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans, the two men were at heavy odds; and lastly, the extremity of the situation eventually lead to the demise of Alexander Hamilton. With all evidence in tact, this duel led to the aura of brilliance from both men diminishing from the government of America altogether.
I suppose the saying 'this town ain't big enough for the two of us,' applies quite well here due to the fact Hamilton was a financial genius, and Burr a clever executive. With that being said, the duel stole the two from bright opportunities that could've improved society; therefore, it obscured the future of America. Because of the death of Hamilton, Burr drowned in obscurity.
Despite the downsides of this competition, it also had its 'ups,' considering that it brought Hamilton into the company of Washington and eventually his choosing as Secretary of the Treasury. His desire like most men for power eventually allowed him to become the 'financial master' as Beckett stated. The economy of the U.S. in the hands of Alexander eventually could've rivaled that of England's as a great power of the world. On the flip side, if Aaron Burr had been elected, he might've handled the Acts passed in a more official manner and prevented the ones that hindred America instead of aiding it.
Sadly, once the fire of anger was burning bright, there was no dousing it. They seemed to only look at each other was a deep dislike, perhaps even hatred at this point, which overall led to the duel. When Aaron couldn't win politically, he had to result to physical means in order to get his point across to regain 'glory and honor.' Ironically, the duel only ruined him further, making no one the 'true victor.' With the cancellation of each other's potential thrown from both sides, it only resulted in hinderance for all. Thus, ending the careers of two great men.
Annelise Rank
Period 1& 4
Aaron Burr was an American politician, Revolutionary War hero and adventurer. His rival Alexander Hamilton was George Washington’s secretary of treasury, as a federalist (someone who believes in a strong central government) was well known for his disagreements with Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. The rivalry between Hamilton and Burr had its roots in 1791 when Burr defeated Hamilton’s father-in-law, Schuyler in a senate race. The rivalry continued when Burr served as VP under Thomas Jefferson, and Hamilton believed Burr was behind a plan for New England’s succession from the union calling Burr “the most unfit and dangerous man of the community”. The last straw for Burr was when Hamilton spoke against him when he ran for governor of New York, causing Burr’s defeat, soon leading Burr to challenge Hamilton to a duel set for July 11, 1804.
In the duel between Burr and Hamilton, Burr shot Hamilton in the abdomen, and Hamilton died the next day. After the duel, Burr was charged with murder in NY & NJ, but neither case went to trial. Burr visited his daughter in South Carolina, and soon after returned to Washington to finish his term as VP; his political career was ruined, and he soon retired in 1805 to return to his private life.
If the duel never happened between these two men, we could all come up with different scenarios of “what could” have happened and how it could have changed history. Maybe different wars would have started, maybe Hamilton could have become president, and maybe Burr’s political career could have turned out differently. We will never know, but I do think that this duel jeopardized Burr’s political career, he could have become president after Jefferson’s term and made significant changes in US History. It’s sad how two men’s differences came between them, killing one, and ruining another’s career. For the past three centuries, the “Aaron Burr vs. Alexander Hamilton duel” has been an important topic in history. The story of these two men is still alive today, but imagine what history could have been like if the duel never happened; would history be different? Did the duel ruin history, or was it an important factor? We will never know.
LOVE the commercial! :D
Amanda Jerd
Periods 3 and 6
The infamous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr occurred on July 11th, 1804 in New Jersey. Incredible power and intelligence were lost to the republic and the political world was forever altered by the consequences of this “interview.” First, because of insulted pride, Aaron started the duel; Hamilton felt he had to fight it because his personal views led him to believe that he would be socially “shunned” if he did not fight; and finally, the reverberations of the duel on Burr’s political career efficiently ended it. Therefore, for pride, social, and political reasons, Burr ended not only Hamilton's life, but also his own political life.
The lead up to the duel started years before that fateful 1804 day with Hamilton's father, Philip Schuyler getting replaced in the Senate by Aaron Burr. When Burr ran as the Federalist Vice President candidate, Hamilton started telling his beliefs about Burr - which were very biased and strong charges against his political abilities - in confidence to friends, but word got out and Burr was extremely angered. At the time, dueling was a "gentlemanly" way to settle disputes, although it was gradually being outlawed. Despite its unlawfulness in their home states, especially New York, Burr challenged Hamilton to a fight for honor. Unwilling to fully admit to the charges Burr made against him, yet not wanting to die, Hamilton decided it better to die with honor than live with shame as he knew would happen if he refused the interview. He had no good choice: live and forever be ridiculed for the death of Burr and have his political career ruined, or sacrifice himself, leave his beloved family and country, but die knowing his name is clear and Burr's is forever marred. In a way, Hamilton committed suicide by not shooting at Burr. He aimed near him but because he in no way meant to kill him, when Burr killed Hamilton it was seen as more of a murder than an honor killing. The fact that these two men left their states to duel where it was legal showed they were willing to skirt the law. For Burr's already endangered political career, this was not making him look like an appealing candidate for the Vice Presidency. The "murder" of Hamilton just added insult to injury and when he was pursued by the law - he ran. That was the straw that broke the camel's back, Burr could not go back and his political career could not go forward. No one will ever know what went through Hamilton's mind as he laid in William Bayard's home dying. Was he pleased to know what he had caused or did he regret it?
During the time of the century shift from the 1700's to the 1800's, two iconic men by the names of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton began to fight for a honor and a higher position in America. The collision of these two Founding Fathers were a huge factor in the creation of the unique American government. First, the two men had conflicting political views and this contributed to the formation of political parties, the Federalists and the Democratic Republicans; second, Hamilton’s mistrust of Aaron Burr and Burr’s discontentment of Hamilton’s attitude towards him created a huge competition between the two men; third, the disagreements and attacks against each other led to a duel which took the life of Alexander Hamilton and destroyed Aaron Burr’s future. Both Hamilton and Burr had great potential in the formation of America but their own differences halted further influences on American politics.
Hamilton and Burr’s relationship never seemed promising to a prominent political future in America. Hamilton posed a huge influence in early America, he had the ability to create a stable American economy. But Burr also had an amazing mind for economy, therefore, a duel for the higher position broke out between the two. When Aaron Burr took the Senate seat that was formerly Hamilton’s father-in-laws, Hamilton lost his support which used to be given to him by his father-in-law. Aaron Burr took Hamilton’s attacks very personal even though Hamilton’s intentions were not personal, but political. This was the main contribution to the harsh relationship between the two men. Hamilton and Burr could have went on to be at some of the highest positions in American Government, maybe even president.
Political differences was one of the main causes of the ruining of Hamilton and Burr. Hamilton though of Burr as one who wasn’t in it for the country, but for himself and his own benefits. As a result, Hamilton successfully kept Burr out of office in the gubernatorial election of 1804. Burr was absolutely outraged and challenged him to a duel. Hamilton did not want to engage in the duel and arrived with no intention on hurting Aaron Burr. Aaron Burr thought that the death of Hamilton would boost his political status. The result of the duel was the death of Hamilton and Burr, who longed for political power, never got it as his reputation deteriorated after Hamilton’s death.
The future for Hamilton and Burr was extremely promising for the government of the United States. Hamilton supported the Bank of te United States, therefore, he could have defended it from crisis’ such as the Panic of 1837. Hamilton could have become President, in which he would have boosted Americas economy to unspeakable amounts. Aaron Burr, on the other hand, could have joined the supreme court amidst the Democratic-Republicans which dominated the early eighteen hundreds. If it weren’t for the conflicts between these two, America could have become an even better world power than it is today.
The political world of America was monopolized by the Republican and Federalist parties during the blossoming years of our great nation. This age was riddled with bitter rivalry that dates back to the earliest days of mankind. Mans manifest hubris in ourselves is our ultimate achilles heel and throughout history, we incontrovertibly repeat ourselves, especially when it comes to politics. The infamous Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton are prime examples of, in extreme circumstances, how a mans pride contributes to being profoundly opinionated and overridden with adamant political views. Hamilton and Burr started out their political careers with bad blood right from the start. Hamilton, being a Federalist, and Burr a Republican there was no salvaging what could have been a civil political relationship. When Burr successfully stole a federalist seat in the Senate from Philip Schuyler who happened to be Hamilton's father-in-law, who was to aid him in his policies, was the beginning of a lifelong vendetta of hatred and sabotage between the two politicians. The next major brawl between the two will occur in the early 1800's when Burr obtains and publishes “The Public Conduct and Character of John Adams, Esq., President of the United States.,” a document written by Hamilton concerning his views of Adams, a Federalist. Hamilton had not intended for his highly critical view of federalists to be published, It was meant for private circulation. This document proved profoundly embarrassing to Hamilton and contributed to the major fissure in the Federalist Party. No matter the rift Burr created in Hamilton's plans on appointing Thomas Jefferson to presidency, Jefferson still came out on top. It was the New York governor's race of 1804, however, that pushed the two men to violence. In that election, Burr turned his back on the Republicans and ran as an independent. Burr believed that if he won, he would regain power. The possibility of Burr leading New York Mortified Hamilton, who despised and mistrusted Burr completely. After Hamilton testified against Burr running for another candidacy, Burr was over the edge. He believed that challenging Hamilton to a duel was the only way to restore his political career. Hamilton wanted to avoid the duel, but politics left him no choice. If he admitted to Burr's charge, which was substantially true, he would lose his honor. If he refused to duel, the result would be the same. Either way, his political career would be over. The duel went in favor of Burr who had mortally wounded Hamilton, who would soon die the day after their duel. Proceeding Burr's brief moment of victory, he was charged with two counts of murder. After his term as vice president ended, he would never hold elective office again. If this battle had not occurred, I suspect Burr would go on as an independent and try to establish his moral and political views on the general public, and Hamilton, as always, would be right there by his side doing anything he can to sabotage his lifelong adversary.
During the genesis of American politics two of the most brilliant minds of the era, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr turned their power and brilliance into anger, a raw campaign designed to destroy the other, and in the end it ruined them both. Firstly steadfast arrogance and determination to their own policies and grand ideals of power gave them no room to coexist peacefully in the partisan government; secondly an inability to compromise and meet eye to eye on any topic prevented any cohesion due to a personal vendetta to publicly exhume and slander the other; These conflicts prevented the influence of some of the most powerful and determined political titans, and it collapsed on them, one with his honor and power, the other suffered with his life.
Hamilton was a federalist. Burr was a republican. The two men were as equally opposite in every respect just due to their representation. With the two parties at war with drastically different goals, there was little room to compromise their aspects in order to maintain their party’s principles. Hamilton sought every ounce of support for his bank and its national economy. And in 1791 their conflict began by Burr stealing a seat he desperately needed to support his bank, as well as the personal blow of his father-in law losing the position.
In the continuing spats the two riled over which were based purely in the aspect of politics, however as time progressed Burr began to see this infighting as a personal offense against his person. Hamilton would conspire not only to prevent his election as governor of New York but was part in a letter that got published to a Major newspaper that slandered Burr’s name. Hamilton went so far as to claim that it was his “religious duty to oppose his career.” Burr fought back by writing a book that indirectly slandered Hamilton and his party, but it was too little, he felt his career slipping away by the man incessantly nipping at his heels. And so in desperation to reclaim his fallen honor and pride he challenged Hamilton to a duel.
When it ended the doctor ran to Hamilton, a dead man, the victor turned and fled pistol smoking, he left with his honor but lost his future, he would be charged with two counts of murder and would never hold an office again. He was a man who had pulled himself in a short time from nothing to a senator and a vice president. He was a man of great ambition and fortitude, a man of marvelous intellect. He could have lead the country to a new peak of power and security. Hamilton, now deceased, would never continue his work on the national bank, he would never again drive the nation’s economy like no one has in all of American history. With his influence the Embargo may have never came to fruition, allowing America to grow at an exponential rate in its early ages. If he hadn’t of died his bank may have continued well on into the future, then the economy wouldn’t have collapsed during Vanburen’s term. If these visionary juggernauts had never thrown their future away our present may have been brighter.
Brynn Villa
Period 1 & 4
In the late 1700s and the early 1800s, a duel took place between two men that were apart of Congress named Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton had their “reasons” to do this duel some being their pride; political career; and their love interest. This duel didn’t solve any problems for anyone really at all. Considering this fact, one can’t help but wonder what may have occurred if this duel did not take place?
This is during the time of when Jefferson was President and of course there needs to be a Vice President. Hamilton not only hated Jefferson but also ran against Burr and lost. Not only did this occur, but Burr fell in love with Hamilton’s ex-wife. However, the divorce was not final, so Hamilton being a turd decided to go and try to ruin Burr’s life and his love life. He started to talk crap about Burr’s soon to be wife and he would just cause trouble. So, Burr decided to challenge him to a duel to end this silliness. Hamilton couldn’t refuse this opportunity because he didn’t want to be seen as a coward. So when it came to the day, all it took was one bullet to end Hamilton’s life. As a result, Burr was wanted for murder, put out of office, and he ran away. Burr teamed up with a man named General James Wilkinson only to find himself betrayed and arrested. When the judge decided to let him go, he fled to Europe.
Had this not happened, Burr may have had the chance to become more successful in office. As, for Hamilton, he may have been put out of office soon anyway because of the Bank of the US. Hamilton had a major ego that most likely would have caused him to act out of greed and force him to step down from office because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Maybe it was better that he died?
In July 1804 a fatal challenge was made between Hamilton and Burr that would shape history economically, politically, and socially. The challenge was initiated by Burr for Hamilton to meet in Weehawken, New Jersey for a duel. This duel’s effect on society was caused by Hamilton’s death and the vanishing of his killer. The political effect would be his death because of his role in the Federalist Party. The economic effect would be the loss of Hamilton’s plans for the future of the U.S. for these social, political, and economic reasons Hamilton’s duel with burr had a huge impact.
Socially, the death of Hamilton brought to attention some laws for the U.S that were in need of change. They way that Hamilton died was the main reason America was in shock, because the way he died was in a duel which was federally counted as murder. Rather than manning up and going to his trial he ran away into the west. The fleeing of burr and the murder of Hamilton left America Without their two greatest leaders.
Politically, the role Hamilton had in the Federalist Party was progressively getting better that when he got killed they were left in shock with a major dent in their plans. With the loss of their Face in politics they had to hurry to find a new person to take his place. Since all of this scrambling around for a new person happened in the early 1800’s this time period was an unsettling one.
Economically, with the death of Hamilton came the death of his ideas as well. Ready and hoping to get in office he had some ideas that came with him through his life and through his death. Because of the fact that he died before people were aware of his ideas America continued to live on without the possible success that could have come from his ideas.
Sonia
per 1&4
From the late 1700's to the early 1800's, two men Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr dueled for honor in America. The government was trying to define its place which was the reason for these conflicts. The political parties that each supported (Federalists and Democratic-Republicans) led to conflict between the two over control of the government. Their mutual dislike of one another led to the infamous duel in which only Burr walked away alive. The tension between the two has no simple explanation: First, The rise of politics made these two obvious enemies; Second, worsening public images made them jump at any chance to proven themselves; Third, both were determined to remain in control so they could enforce their ideas. Burr and Hamilton, though their own actions, brought an end to their once promising careers.
As the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton was the leading economic mind of his time. His formation of the National Bank ensured that America would have the financial stability to remain and expand itself, eventually playing an important role in the world economy. But he had to fight a long and bitter battle to get congress to support his plan. The rise of political parties like the Federalists and Republicans, created a new era of “bare knuckle” politics. The first signs of conflict between Burr and Hamilton were the election of 1800 when Hamilton gave his all to ensure that Jefferson was elected president over Burr such was his dislike for the man. In retaliation Burr used all of his political power to help Jefferson’s fight against the National Bank, Hamilton’s pet project. These men realized by 1804 that their public image was rapidly souring and soon became desperate to retain any shred of power they could. Burr blamed Hamilton for his failure to win New York’s governor election and when Hamilton would not take back his comments about Burrs character, Burr challenged him and Hamilton reluctantly agreed. After its conclusion neither had any chance of a political career and only Burr still had his life. Because of this reckless and immature behavior America lost two of its brightest minds. If this encounter had never happened Hamilton’s national bank might have been a success and if Burr would not have been cast out by his republican brothers he could have went on to become the president. The duel between Hamilton and Burr had staggering consequences for the country. The death of Alexander Hamilton was a precursor to the decline and eventual extinction of the Federalist Party as it succumbed to inter fighting.
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