Charleston County Public Library

Alexander Hamilton, the making of America, Teri Kanefield

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 198-199) and index (pages 201-203)

individual biography

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Alexander Hamilton

bibliography

960237984

Teri Kanefield

the making of America

"Here is the story of Alexander Hamilton, America's first Secretary of the Treasury, the founding father who is on the ten-dollar bill--a brash and brilliant man who died in a duel and left a legacy that continues to this day. Alexander Hamilton tells of his impoverished upbringing in the West Indies, journeying to New York City to attend college just before the Revolutionary War, writing in defiance of the king of England, acting as senior aide-de-camp to General George Washington, and helping to create a stable government for the new nation. The American that Hamilton knew was largely agricultural and built on slave labor. He envisioned something else: a multiracial, urbanized, capitalistic America with a strong central government. Such an America would be a land of opportunity for the poor and for immigrants. His vision put him at odds with is archrivals--Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and others, who preferred a pastoral America in which the federal government would remain small and weak. Hamilton's story epitomizes the American dream--a poor immigrant who rose from poverty through his intelligence and ability. He made good in the new nation, and helped to create the United States of America."--Jacket

An orphan and a dreamer -- An immigrant -- A soldier -- Victory in love and war -- Striving for magnificence -- Capitalism: a new vision for America -- Due process of law -- Steps in the right direction -- The good ship Hamilton -- Secretary of the treasury -- Rivalry with Jefferson -- Rivalry with Burr -- Afterword -- Legacy

juvenile