History Makers: Alexander Hamilton

It’s 1787 and a group of men is gathered in a hot room in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They wear layers of heavy clothing and itchy wigs. The windows are shut to keep people from listening in. These men are creating the nation’s most important document— the U.S. Constitution.

The men all have strong opinions, but one is so impassioned that he speaks for six hours straight. Alexander Hamilton was determined to use his words to help shape our nation. It wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last.

From a young age, Hamilton set out to make his mark on the world. He grew up a penniless orphan on the island of St. Croix (see map on page 8). He had to work, so he didn’t go to school. But he educated himself by reading anything he could get his hands on.

He soon found that he could use his words to influence people. In 1772, a teenaged Hamilton wrote a letter about a hurricane that ripped through St. Croix. His neighbors were so impressed by his writing that they collected money to send Hamilton to college in America.

This was Hamilton’s chance to prove himself. America was on the verge of war, and Hamilton was about to join the fight.

When Hamilton arrived in America, the Colonies were still ruled by Great Britain. He was among many who thought they should break free. In 1775, the Revolutionary War started. The next year, Hamilton left college to join the war, fighting under General George Washington.

Washington quickly noticed Hamilton’s intelligence and appointed him as his aide. In 1783, America won the war— and its freedom.

The war was over, but the new nation still had work to do. That’s why Hamilton and the others were in Philadelphia in 1787. After four months of debate, the Constitution was finished. The document set up our national government.

But the states still had to approve it. There was so much disagreement that it seemed doomed to fail. Hamilton refused to let that happen. He spent weeks helping to write dozens of essays called the Federalist Papers, defending the Constitution. Once again, his words won out. It became the law of the land in 1788.

Hamilton went on to become a trusted adviser to Washington during his presidency. And he created the first U.S. national bank and our national currency.

“As a kid, he imagined he could have an impact on the world,” says Adrienne Whaley, an educator at the Museum of the American Revolution. “And with a mixture of determination, luck, and learning, he did!”

1. Which details support the idea that Alexander Hamilton was an impassioned speaker?

2. What text structure does the section “Starting From Nothing” follow? How do you know?

3. What is the purpose of the sidebar “Danger at Every Turn”?