Alexander Hamilton The Prosecution Left Burr example essay topic

Aaron Burr Aaron Burr was a central figure in American public life for nearly three decades, but is remembered mainly for two episodes in his life: his duel with Alexander Hamilton in 1804 and his schemes of empire-building that formed the basis for his treason trial in 1807. Aaron Burr was Vice President from 1801-1809, and while in office Aaron Burr was never impeached for his actions towards Alexander Hamilton, which resulted in the later death, and for his schemes of empire, which resulted in his trial and acquittal on charges of treason. Burr was born in Newark, New Jersey on February 6, 1756. In 1702 burr opened a law practice in Albany, and in 1791 Burr had become a powerful political figure.

Burr also had many dreams that went unrealized. Aaron Burr was a central figure to American public life, having never been impeached for killing Alexander Hamilton the prosecution left Burr disgraced and faced with constant harassment by creditors. Burr's parents died at an early age, leaving him in the care of an uncle who sometimes beat him in his young life. Despite his hardships, Burr developed into an adventuresome and precocious child. At age 16, Burr graduated from Princeton. Burr served on Benedict Arnold's staff, where he met James Wilkinson, who was to figure in his later plans.

He then served briefly with George Washington and later with General Israel Putnam. In July 1777, as a lieutenant colonel, he took over commanded of regiment. He fought in the Battle of Monmouth the next year and resigned because of ill health in 1779. In 1782, Burr stood for the bar in Albany and opened a law practice. That same year Burr married Theodosia Prevost, a woman ten years his senior with whom he would enjoy a close and loving relationship until her death in 1794. The other great love in Burr's life was his superbly talented daughter, also named Theodosia, born a year after the couple's marriage.

(His hopes for Theosia's career, and insistence that she not be denied opportunities open to men, have led some historians to call Burr America's 'first male feminist. ' ) By 1791, Burr had become a powerful political figure, having been elected United States Senator from New York. Burr's politics were marked by his liberal instincts and his dreams to expand. In the election of 1800, Burr tied Thomas Jefferson in the Electoral College.

Burr became Vice President when the House of Representatives selected Jefferson as President in a contest that left the two men bitter enemies. Burr's ambitions in conventional politics came to an end in 1804 when he was defeated in his bid for the governorship of New York. Burr blamed opposition leader Alexander Hamilton for his defeat, and challenged the famous Federalist to a duel. On July 11, 1804 in Weehawken, New Jersey, Burr mortally wounded Hamilton and was forced to flee New York and New Jersey when warrants were issued for his arrest. After the duel, Burr's thoughts turned to the West. Historians disagree as to whether Burr's dealings with figures such as General James Wilkinson, former senator Jonathan Dayton and others constituted treason, or simply reflected the expansionist sentiments shared by many patriotic settlers west of the Alleghenies.

If Burr's correspondence with the foreign ministers of Great Britain (Merry) and Spain (Yrujo) are taken at face value, Burr indeed was bent on securing a treasonous separation of the West from the Union, one that might have left him as the leader of a new western empire. On the other hand, it is possible that Burr's letters to the foreign ministers were only an attempt to capitalize on Great Britain's and Spain's hatred of the new American Republic, and to secure for himself the funds that would enable him to mount an expedition against the Spanish territory of Mexico. Whatever the precise nature of this scheme, it is clear that expansion and conquest were at its heart. Burr's dreams, of course, went unrealized, and he became the defendant in 1807 treason.

Nonetheless, the prosecution left Burr disgraced and facing constant harassment by creditors. Burr lived out his later years in relative obscurity, dying in Staten Island, New York on September 14, 1836.