How Did Alexander Hamilton Affect The American
Alexander Hamilton: first Secretary of the Treasury, Revolutionary War hero, and one of the most influential figures of the late 1700s. Even though Hamilton seems like an intelligent, wealthy, high ranking man, he did not start out that way. Hamilton wasn’t even born in the colonies, but he helped create the United States, and we still feel his impact today. Growing up, Alexander Hamilton lived an impoverished life and faced many hardships. His mother died and his father abandoned him, leaving him with nothing. Alexander Hamilton never gave up and worked hard to succeed. At the young age of fourteen, he was in charge of an import-export firm, directing ships and keeping track of all the country’s shipments. At age seventeen, Hamilton
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In 1759, when Alexander Hamilton was two, John Lavien wanted to divorce Rachel and remarry, but to do so he would need Rachel’s approval (Gerson 2). John Lavien went to the court and called her children “illegitimate” because she did not have them with her husband and demanded they do not inherit any of Rachel’s property (Gerson 2). John Lavien also called Rachel a whore (Cavendish 2005). The statements were made public and humiliated both Rachel and her children. For the next few years, Alexander, his parents, and his brother lived peacefully on the island of Nevis (Gerson 2). Alexander’s mother sent him to the only Jewish school on the island, where Alexander learned to speak in Hebrew, read, and arithmitic (Boobe n.d.). James Hamilton also provided Alexander with a shelf of books, which made him love to read (Boobe n.d.). When Alexander was ten, his father needed to move to St. Croix for his job, so his whole family went with him (Gerson 2). As he continued growing up, Alexander experienced some of the same issues his mother did. James Hamilton and Rachel Fawcett argued and clashed (Gerson 2). After a few months of the family living in St. Croix, James Hamilton left and moved to St. Kitts (Gerson 2). After this abandonment, Alexander never sees his father again (“Alexander Hamilton Chronology” n.d.). Alexander Hamilton was very close with his father and was devastated when he
In 1759, when Alexander Hamilton was two, John Lavien wanted to divorce Rachel and remarry, but to do so he would need Rachel’s approval (Gerson 2). John Lavien went to the court and called her children “illegitimate” because she did not have them with her husband and demanded they do not inherit any of Rachel’s property (Gerson 2). John Lavien also called Rachel a whore (Cavendish 2005). The statements were made public and humiliated both Rachel and her children. For the next few years, Alexander, his parents, and his brother lived peacefully on the island of Nevis (Gerson 2). Alexander’s mother sent him to the only Jewish school on the island, where Alexander learned to speak in Hebrew, read, and arithmitic (Boobe n.d.). James Hamilton also provided Alexander with a shelf of books, which made him love to read (Boobe n.d.). When Alexander was ten, his father needed to move to St. Croix for his job, so his whole family went with him (Gerson 2). As he continued growing up, Alexander experienced some of the same issues his mother did. James Hamilton and Rachel Fawcett argued and clashed (Gerson 2). After a few months of the family living in St. Croix, James Hamilton left and moved to St. Kitts (Gerson 2). After this abandonment, Alexander never sees his father again (“Alexander Hamilton Chronology” n.d.). Alexander Hamilton was very close with his father and was devastated when he