Why Is Alexander Hamilton Important

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Alexander Hamilton was an important founding father to the United States. Many of the things we know today were directly influenced by this man. As the first secretary of the treasury, he turned the country around from a financial crisis. While this did not please the entire county, it was beneficial in the long run and in many ways is still enforced today. Alexander proposed that the debt accumulated by the Continental Congress be paid in full, that the federal government assume all state debts, and that a Bank of the United States be created. While this probably saved the young United States from financial doom, it was also the birth of national debt. When the national debt was created in its current form in 1791, it stood at $75 million. (Heilbroner 1989) I believe that Alexander was a wise and innovative man, but if he could see the national debt today, would he have…show more content…
Before this time, the government had “a lack of power to tax” (Brinkley p.142) The first was a tax on alcoholic beverages. The second was a tax on imports. This was a way to raise money and to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. (Brinkley p.152) While the Constitution made no reference to political parties, many were convinced that Hamilton and his followers were doing many of the same things that the corrupt British government had done. (Brinkley p. 153) They were known at the time as “Federalists”. Those who opposed them, including Thomas Jefferson, formed a group called “Republicans”. In closing, it is clear that Alexander Hamilton was responsible for imposing taxes in the United States. This is still ongoing in today’s society. The national debt began because of Hamilton’s plan which has risen to over $15 trillion.(US Debt Clock). Democratic parties were born because of Hamilton. Over two hundred years later, all of these are still a large part of today’s society.
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