Chanice Lighty
November 3rd, 2014
Harrold
US History
John Adams vs Alexander Hamilton
Born October 30, 1735 in Quincy, Massachusetts. John Adams our 2nd president of the United States, grew up with a father who was a farmer, deacon, and town councilman. Adams was a federalist one of his famous attributes was the argument about the stamp act of 1765. He wrote a response to the act called “Essay on the Canon and Feudal Law” in which he argued that: ‘the stamp act deprived American colonist of their rights to be taxed by consent and to be tried by a jury of their peers.’ He also made it clear that the act was null and void in a speech he sent out to the governor of Massachusetts along with his council. In 1796, Adams was elected as the federalist nominee for president. Thomas Jefferson led opposition. During his presidency France and Britain began a war, which started a political uproar for the United States causing Adams administration to focus on diplomatic efforts for France, when France denied the United States and later after the war died down Adams lost his favoritism from the public and lost his re-election to once opposed Thomas Jefferson. Alexander Hamilton born January 11, 1755 on the island of Nevis in the British West indies. Hamilton was part of George Washington’s administration, and one of the leading figures. Hamilton was also a nationalist, who stood for the “wealthy elite” meaning he believed the government should protect the wealthy. Hamilton’s goal in politics was to establish a stronger federal government under a new government. Hamilton believed that the constitution gave him ability to determine economic policies that will enable the central government. Differing from Adams, Hamilton was a bit more power hungry than him. Granted Hamilton was one of Washington’s men, making Hamilton feel a bit more deserving of the spot as the next president of the United States; it was his opposing attitude that made the people angry with him lessening his chances. John Adams on the other hand was more favorable to the people because his earlier works. Hamilton had little influence on the writing of the Constitution, he became a heavy influence in its ratification. Along with James Madison, the reason he had such a heavy influence was because Hamilton wrote "The Federalist," a series of essays that defended the yet-to-be-approved Constitution. ‘Hamilton composed more than two-thirds of the 85 essays, which were published in New York newspapers in 1787-88. Later in 1788, Hamilton attended the New York ratification convention.’ Because he was a well-rounded public speaker he used it as his best defense mechanism, he turned back a huge Anti-Federalist tide to win ratification. In 1800 Hamilton's old enemy, Aaron Burr, descided he wanted to publish publish a confidential document Hamilton had written that was highly critical of Federalist John Adams, then president. Publication of the article created a definite win for the Federalist party, helping Republicans Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr to win the race for presidency. But since the two men tied in electoral votes, it was up to Congress to decide the outcome. Hamilton urged the Congressional federalists to vote for Jefferson, which really had no effect. Alas, Congress chose Jefferson as president. Burr was assumed to be the vice president.

In the New York 1804, Hamilton again bumped heads with Aaron Burr. Burr ran as an independent. Hamilton feared that Burr would eclipse him in the Federalist leadership. He spoke out against the vice president Burr, and it resulted in what was called a brutal media campaign against Burr. The Clintons, not Hamilton, were responsible for Burr's defeat. ‘After reading in a newspaper that Hamilton had expressed a "despicable opinion" about him during the campaign, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. They met on the dueling grounds at Weehawken, New Jersey on July 11, 1804. Both men fired their pistols; only Hamilton was hit. He died of his wounds the next day.’ This ironic similarities between Hamilton and Adams was their quick hot-tempter type approach in the history of the United States. Hamilton with his firery temper and opposing ways costed him his election, whereas John Adams was a little more level-headed with his temper, with him and Thomas Jefferson being the last surviving members of the original American Revolutionaries, and serving two presidential terms, and on July 4, 1826, at the age of 90, while the rest of the country celebrated their independence, Adams laid on his death bed with the last words: Thomas Jefferson still survives. Unknowingly that Thomas Jefferson soon before him died 5 hours earlier in Monticello. Adams precede Jefferson as president back in 1797 and despite his personal and political dislike of Thomas Jefferson (which was the difference between Hamilton and adams) Hamilton was one determined to seal his victory against Aaron Burr, in the election of 1800 which resulted in hamilton’s death. In Conclusion Hamilton and Adams was much alike because of their hot tempered attitudes, but only Adam’s temper didn’t result in his death. Unfortunately Hamilton wasn’t as lucky.

Works Cited
Alexander Hamilton/ John Adams. History.com unknown author Unknown. A&E networks.
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