If we were living in the time when Hamilton was Treasury Secretary, perhaps he would suggest the designation of an entirely different denomination of paper money for a woman in history, not the $10, or even the $20. Being the visionary he was, his ideas often existed outside the status quo -- with brilliant results.
But could we create a new denomination? According to the Treasury Department, printing special currency requires an official proposal, new printing plates and several hundreds of thousands of dollars for additional printing and processing equipment, including the preparation of changing both the obverse and reverse sides of the currency. So, the cost of creating a woman a new denomination compared to subbing Hamilton’s image for
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Mint. If anyone’s legacy has been linked to U.S. currency, it is Hamilton’s --- whose illustrious reputation as a founding father of the United States and its banking systems was hard won.
Alexander Hamilton, a destitute orphan from the Caribbean, through high intellect, ambition and inherent ability to evoke action through brilliant essays, rose through the ranks first at King’s College (now Columbia College), then, the Revolutionary War to become George Washington's most trusted aid. Always an early advocate for a federal, centralized government, his ideas would eventually bind the young wayward nation together. As an author of the Federalist Papers, he composed some of the most influential essays in American history, securing the need for the Constitution of the United States.
President George Washington appointed Hamilton as the first United States Secretary of the Treasury on September 11, 1789. President Washington understood well Hamilton’s genius as a political, military, and financial ally and often turn to Hamilton as a confidant on matters outside the Treasury Department. Much of the structure of the government of the United States was formed in the five years of Hamilton’s appointment. It was under Hamilton’s stewardship that the extensive debt the U.S. amassed during the Revolutionary War was paid in full by the time he left his post in
“Hamilton was assigned to be Captain of the group of artillery that guarded Patriots interests at Long Island and White Plains.“ (wikipedia) Alexander Hamilton’s job as secretary of treasury was that he was in charge of dealing with money and he made sure the country is successful with their banks .
To understand the reason, and perhaps necessity, for the conception of the Currency act of 1764, one must have a grasp of the economic situation in the American colonies prior to 1764. The currency used in the American colonies has always revolved around, specie or the two types of paper currency, legislatively issued legal tender or land bank notes (Finkelstein 39). Foreign specie was far more common than British specie, due to an export prohibition of British specie and an unfavorable balance of trade between the American colonies and Britain that drained whatever British specie
Another thing that Hamilton had done was fight through the revolution as George Washington's right hand man and he was able to, after fighting, fund the nation's federal debt. The writer states “great achievement was funding the federal debt at face value, which rectified and nationalized the financial chaos inherited from the Revolution” (history.com Para. 5). We can tell that he fought through the war, risking his life to help America and eventually help America, even more, afterwards. After going through a tough life so far he was able to also become the nation's first Secretary of Treasury, which deals with the nation's debt and credit which he helped create. It states in the article “As secretary of the treasury” (history.com Para. 5). This just simply shows that he was able to become the Treasurer. Hamilton in total was a very good man, nevertheless, he had cheated on his wife and kinda caused the death of his son helped form America and is very awesome.
Prominent American leaders and politicians have been on United States paper currency for decades. These leaders made a lasting impression in American history in a significant amount of ways. Some notable mentions are Abraham Lincoln, who’s preservation of the Union and Emancipation Proclamation remains vital to the unified nation today and Alexander Hamilton’s advocation of the revised Constitution and influence in the modern day political system. However, the Great Emancipator and the founding father of the United States have respectively been on the currency for almost a century. Currently, there are heated debates about the portrait replacement of Ulysses S, Grant with Ronald Reagan on the $50 bill. Despite the opposition, the portraits on the United States currency should be replaced because it is the time of a new generation that begs for change.
George Washington had recognized Hamilton’s leadership abilities and promoted him as Lieutenant Colonel. He was also an innovator of military design, where he designed reports on the defects and how there could be improvement in the military. While Hamilton was working as an adviser for Washington, Hamilton had come to realize the Congress' weaknesses, including jealousy between states, which he believed came from the Articles of Confederation (http://www.ushistory.org/). In 1782, Hamilton was convinced that establishing a strong central government was the key to achieving America’s independence.
During the Revolutionary War, he served as General Washington’s right hand man, writing Congress for supplies and convincing more people to help with the war effort. At the time he was only twenty-two. After the war he went back to New York and practiced law, quickly rising in status and influence. As it was decided that this country could not be sustained under the Articles of Confederation, the Continental Congress was formed, to which Hamilton was elected the New York junior delegate. “In 1786 he played the leading role in the convention at Annapolis, which prepared the way for the great Constitutional Convention that met at Philadelphia in 1787” (Rodger). His ideas and words were powerful among the framers of the Constitution. Even after the Constitution was written people were not sure if this document truly created the government they wanted. Without Hamilton’s brilliant turn of phrase, the US Constitution as we know it may never have been ratified. Hamilton led James Madison and John Jay in writing the Federalist papers defending the document to the public, writing fifty-one of the eighty-five essays himself. “He [was also] leader of the Federalist Party until his death,” a party that was created to form the style of government that still rules this country today; a system
Before the Revolutionary War had occurred, many people were coming to the new colonies to start a new life; one of the people was Alexander Hamilton. He had come to the colonies after impressing people in the Caribbean and who then sent him to America to get a better education (“Alexander Hamilton”). Hamilton was an important figure in American history, but very few today remember who he was and what he did. Alexander Hamilton took a stand against traditional government by writing against and battling the British, fighting for the new U.S. Treasury, and arguing for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Everyone has heard the name Alexander Hamilton, but few are familiar with his views and actions regarding the survival of the young American republic. He could be recognized for anything from serving our fledgling country by fighting in the New York militia; to serving his community as a lawyer and as a national tax agent; to beginning his
Alexander Hamilton never achieved the highest position in office, but he was a few of America's Founding Fathers. He first joined the army during the Revolution and became an aide for George Washington. Hamilton quickly moved up in society. Political parties began to form during the struggle over ratification of the Federal Constitution of 1787. The attention changed for the creation of a new Federal Government to the question of how powerful the Federal Government would be. Led by the Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, a Federalist, really wanted a strong central government. Alexander Hamilton's view on human nature was shaped by his war experiences. People had their own hobbies, interests, and money put above patriotism and of the country. Another role that Hamilton played in establishing the U.S. Government was that he really depended on the United States developing a strong economy. In all, there were three roles Alexander Hamilton used in establishing the U.S Government which were forming a strong central government, his view on human nature, and developing a strong economy.
Alexander Hamilton was a very influential leader at the time of the American Revolution and helped with many complications. When Hamilton was a young adult, he started out as George Washington’s consultant during the Revolutionary War, writing many documents and letters for him. In 1782, Alexander was chosen to be a representative for New York in Congress. Just a mere 2 years later, Hamilton began to serve in the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention. He saved the Convention from failing, by declaring another Convention the next year. Since Hamilton was the founder of the Federalist Party, he helped write the Federalist
Few Americans are aware of the profound impact Alexander Hamilton had on our nation’s development with his creation of multiple, important institutions. Hamilton, a true Founding Father of our nation, is primarily accountable for the design and establishment of Federal institutions, especially for the financial system which helped form the states into a nation. These creations of his helped put this nation on its path toward an industrial economy. Hamilton wanted a manufacturing economy founded on financial principles. He played a key role in shaping President George Washington’s foreign policy based on American self-interest.
Everybody in America has once had that shiny, copper, small penny jingling in their pockets. The smallest denomination in the U.S. worth only one cent, has been a part of this country for hundreds of years. This coinage has brought a significant effect on our strong American economy. But a problem has been brought up within the last couple decades on whether or not the penny shall be abolished or not. The penny has historical importance and is appreciated more than people believe pennies to be
President Lincoln who is a great model of the USA, " would be ashamed to have his face on this specious specie"(Source C). Why would they put the face of a great president who did good things in the US on a piece of copper that has no value what so ever. He will feel no gratitude toward the country by repaying his hard work in a non-valuable piece of copper that should be helping but its really not. As years pass by, the economy is changing by how much money is worth by stating that, " you can't buy anything with a penny any more"(Source C). The penny was worth more back then but now you can't even buy a piece of gum with it. If the penny can't even buy a product why keep it around, its not like its being used. It can also be said that, " Two-thirds of them immediately drop out of circulation" (Source C). Meaning to say that approximately sixty-six percent of pennies disappear or just end up in a place where it will eventually be
There have been many controversies since the United States declared independence in 1776. One of the many domestic issues that divided American citizens was developing the First National Bank in the late 1700s. Hamilton was in favor, while Jefferson opposed and American citizens chose their side based on what they believed what was best for the country. Hamilton proposed a Report on a National Bank in December of 1790 announcing what the National Bank would include. Hamilton’s proposal included, “The bank’s stock would be worth $10,000,000. 20,000 shares would be sold privately at $400 per share ... 5,000 shares or $2,000,000 of bank stock would be bought by the U.S. government. The bank would be run by a 25-man board of directors - 20 chosen by the shareholders and 5 by the government. The bank’s president would be elected by the board of directors. Notes and bills (money) issued by the bank would be redeemable on demand ... and would be accepted by the U.S. government for all payments due. The bank’s charter would run for 20 years and would be subject to renewal by Congress. The bank would be allowed to establish branch offices in other cities; its main branch would be in Philadelphia, the nation’s capital” (http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/teachers/lesson_plans/pdfs/unit3_ 4.pdf). Although the first part of the bank bill, establishing a national mint, did pass with ease, supporters and opposers debated the rest of the bill, which included the development of
Alexander Hamilton, recognized as one of the Founding Fathers of our country, had a great impact on the wars and political issues of his time. He presented himself as a well respected man and proved himself worthy of the tasks he was given. He impressed many people and played a substantial part in influencing where America stands today. Although his early childhood circumstances were difficult, putting him at a disadvantage, Alexander proved himself capable of achieving success all on his own, without the need of others’ assistance or provision. His efforts ultimately played a significant role in the founding of America.