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Hamilton's Mysterious Life: How He Became One of America's Founding Fathers
Alexander Hamilton, born in 1755 or 1757, was a military officer, politician and one of the founding fathers of the United States. During George Washington's presidency, he served as the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1789 to 1795 and made an indelible contribution to the financial infrastructure of the United States. Born on the Caribbean island of Nevis, Hamilton experienced the hardships of life from an early age, which enabled him to demonstrate extraordinary determination and talent in his later political career.
Hamilton's experience of living as an orphan since he was a child made him work harder. He not only had to fight for his own future, but also needed to fight for a brand new country.
Early life and education
Hamilton was born in Charleston, Nevis, to parents who met as a result of an extramarital affair. His mother, a married woman, later separated from his father for family reasons and raised Hamilton and his older brother there. After the death of his mother, young Hamilton was forced to become independent and pursue his education.
Despite living in poverty, his perseverance and enthusiasm for learning are commendable. Through diligent self-study and the help of people around him, Hamilton finally arrived in the United States in 1772 and continued his studies in New York. During this period, his talent and writing ability attracted the attention of many people, allowing him to quickly join the wave of the American Independence Movement.
His first political article, "A Full Defense of the Measures of Congress," marked his debut in American public affairs.
Achievements in the Revolutionary War
Hamilton joined the New York Volunteer Army in 1775 at the beginning of the Revolutionary War and quickly demonstrated his military talents. In the following battles, he participated as a commander in many important battles, including the Battle of Trenton and the Siege of Yorktown. In these battles, he showed extraordinary leadership skills and enabled his army to achieve repeated victories.
Especially in the Siege of Yorktown, Hamilton's excellent strategic planning directly contributed to the victory of the Revolutionary Army. This victory not only meant the independence of the United States strategically, but also marked the heyday of his personal career. After the withdrawal, he chose to retire from his military career and instead pursue a career in law and finance.
It was a decisive victory, and Hamilton's military talents and leadership skills made him shine in the Revolutionary War.
The rise of a political career
As the United States gradually faced the challenges of reconstruction after the Revolution, Hamilton was soon appointed as President Worthington's Secretary of the Treasury. His policy proposals included establishing a central bank and strengthening the power of the central government, measures that became the foundation of the U.S. financial system.
However, his political views were not shared by everyone, especially supporters of Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republican Party. They insisted that local governments should have more autonomy and were wary of Hamilton's totalitarianism. This political division led to early interparty conflicts in the United States and, to some extent, shaped the later two-party system.
Hamilton's political career symbolizes the struggle of an emerging country to explore its future amid uncertainty, embodying the conflict between the ideals of the founders and reality.
Old age and tragic ending
While resisting France and its regime, Hamilton continued to be politically influential. As he grew older, his health gradually declined. In 1804, a duel with Aaron Burr marked the end of Hamilton's life. This sudden tragedy shocked the entire country. Hamilton's life dedicated to his country left a deep mark on history.
Although his life ended in tragedy, Hamilton's contribution to the United States cannot be ignored. His political ideas and fiscal policies laid the foundation for American governance and continued to influence the political operations of later generations.
As historians say, Hamilton was one of the most talented politicians in the founding of the United States.
Facing the legendary experience of this great founding father, have you ever thought about what the United States would be like today if he had made different decisions at a turning point in history?
