Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton
Reading Level

	edHelper's suggested reading level:	grades 6 to 8
	Flesch-Kincaid grade level:	7.98

Vocabulary

	challenging words:		faction, staunch, delegate, vice, illustrious, supporter, presidential, politics, impressed, newly, revolution, settling, insure, appoint, army, government
	content words:		Alexander Hamilton, West Indies, Columbia University, New York City, General George Washington, New York, Elizabeth Schuyler, Continental Congress, George Washington, United States

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Alexander Hamilton
By Jane Runyon

¹     The life of Alexander Hamilton did not start out too well. His mother and father were never married. He was born on Nevis, an island in the West Indies. His mother died when he was young. Members of his parents' families recognized the abilities this young man had. He was sent to Boston when he was seventeen years old. He was given an education at King's College (which is now Columbia University) in New York City.

²     Hamilton became very aware of the changes the people wanted in the way they were being governed during the early 1700's. He wrote articles for the papers and pamphlets to be distributed among the citizens. He was a staunch supporter of the colonial cause. When the war began, he joined forces with other colonists to fight for what he believed. He became a captain in the army and was introduced to General George Washington. Washington was so impressed with this intelligent young man that he asked Hamilton to be his personal secretary and aide. He left Washington's staff in 1782 because he wanted to be more involved with the real fighting.

³     At the end of the revolution, Hamilton returned to New York where he married Elizabeth Schuyler and set up his own law practice. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1783. He had already created his own plan for a new government. Some delegates wanted to appoint a king for this newly formed country, but Hamilton fought for a strong central government controlled by the people. He took the side of the Federalist faction. He didn't agree with all of the powers that were described in the Constitution that was finally adopted. He did, however, support it and worked for its ratification.

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