Process Paper
For our research project in Foundations of America, I chose to research Alexander Hamilton. Ever since I first started learning about early US history, I’ve always admired Hamilton and the differences between him and the other Framers. I also thought my father, who also has an interest in Alexander Hamilton, would be able to direct me to some good sources. I decided this project was a good way for me to further investigate him and his contributions to early government in the United States.
I first wanted a more solid understanding of Hamilton’s life and experiences, so I checked out several biographies. The most impressive by far was Ron Chernow’s, which was chock full of details, although at times it was a little much to take in. I knew I needed to focus my research if I was to get anything done, so I narrowed my research to focus on Hamilton’s early contributions to US government, like the Continental Congress. However, with some indication from Mr. Sunderland, I soon learnt his influence in this time period was minimal, as he had yet to establish himself as a major player in American politics. I then realized his most important contribution around this general time period was probably his influence on the creation of the Constitution. I then based my project around this topic. First hand sources like Hamilton’s British Plan and the Federalist Papers gave me a good idea of how Hamilton thought government should be run and how he had a hand in the drafting and ratification of the Constitution itself. Hamilton was an ardent supporter of a strong national government, an ideal he never relinquished. Hamilton argued the benefits of such a structure to the other, more wary delegates of the Convention. I had to do some more digging for good primary sources as well as context sources relevant to the affects of Hamilton’s efforts.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was called in response to dissatisfaction with the government under the Articles of Confederation. During the Convention, many proposals of how the government should be restructured were submitted and discussed. Alexander Hamilton, who had long been a proponent of a national conference to discuss a revision of the Articles of Confederation, submitted one such plan. His plan differed from others submitted in that it favored a stronger national government, but eventually ideas were taken from all the plans and merged and revised into what became the Constitution, which Hamilton then fought vigorously to have ratified.
I first wanted a more solid understanding of Hamilton’s life and experiences, so I checked out several biographies. The most impressive by far was Ron Chernow’s, which was chock full of details, although at times it was a little much to take in. I knew I needed to focus my research if I was to get anything done, so I narrowed my research to focus on Hamilton’s early contributions to US government, like the Continental Congress. However, with some indication from Mr. Sunderland, I soon learnt his influence in this time period was minimal, as he had yet to establish himself as a major player in American politics. I then realized his most important contribution around this general time period was probably his influence on the creation of the Constitution. I then based my project around this topic. First hand sources like Hamilton’s British Plan and the Federalist Papers gave me a good idea of how Hamilton thought government should be run and how he had a hand in the drafting and ratification of the Constitution itself. Hamilton was an ardent supporter of a strong national government, an ideal he never relinquished. Hamilton argued the benefits of such a structure to the other, more wary delegates of the Convention. I had to do some more digging for good primary sources as well as context sources relevant to the affects of Hamilton’s efforts.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was called in response to dissatisfaction with the government under the Articles of Confederation. During the Convention, many proposals of how the government should be restructured were submitted and discussed. Alexander Hamilton, who had long been a proponent of a national conference to discuss a revision of the Articles of Confederation, submitted one such plan. His plan differed from others submitted in that it favored a stronger national government, but eventually ideas were taken from all the plans and merged and revised into what became the Constitution, which Hamilton then fought vigorously to have ratified.