The Man Who Would be King

Alexander Hamilton was a lawyer, statesman, financier, and one of the main authors of the Federalist Papers. He supported a strong central government, and his influence convinced Congress to use a flexible interpretation of the Constitution to pass far-reaching laws. During his tenure as Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton influenced the passing of laws that funded the national debt, created a national bank and a system of taxes that would pay for it. Hamilton’s detractors called him unprincipled and dangerously aristocratic. At the Constitutional Convention, Hamilton proposed that the “rich and well-born” have a permanent role in controlling the masses. He wanted an elective monarchy with a strong centralized and representative government.

Hamilton believed that the common man needed governing for the common good. According to Hamilton, without government the “unthinking populace” would lead a nation to anarchy (It is true that too many people who are ignorant on the issues vote...)

Hamilton was killed in 1804 by Vice President Aaron Burr during a duel.