The Ideas And Influence, And Burr's Future

Assignment Description – Discuss the effects of the duel on the U.S., the political outcomes, Hamilton's ideas and influence, and Burr's future.

The Hamilton – Burr duel definitely leaves its mark in history because of its significance regarding the impact that it has on Burr's future, how Hamilton's ideas influenced the U.S. though he is dead and the political outcomes. The duel was aroused because of tensions that had built up between the two men throughout their political careers. Both detested each other and did everything in their power to foil the others success. The pinnacle of their heated feud came about when Burr attempted to grasp an opportunity to a return in power after his unsuccessful presidential campaign by switching political parties so that he may
be a governor of New York.
This enraged Hamilton and Hamilton spread every rumor and misdemeanor to set Burr out of the run for governorship. This offended Burr and prompted him to call for a duel to retain his honor. The outcome was tragic. Burr shot Hamilton a horrific blow which left Hamilton bed-ridden and to die the next day. Of course the federalists were enraged, and in the end Hamilton was charged of murder in New York and New Jersey. The very thing that he thought would reestablish his place in society threw him into an endless pit which would ensure that he would never climb up to political office again. He was the first duelist to be charged with murder and people lost respect for him finding him a bloodthirsty and revengeful man. In a failed attempt, he joined cahoots with General Wilkinson to make a separatist plot in the West. Soon he was forced into exile in England because he was charged with treason against the U.S. Though Hamilton was dead, his ideas remained alive. His idea for checks and balances which was initially repudiated became embraced. First it was considered an overzealous idea to encourage an overly strong government
or monarchy, especially considering Hamilton envisioned the perfect government to be that like of Britain. But this idea of checks and balances ensured that all branches of government would have a check in power, so not one could overthrow the other. His idea for a Federal Bank was also successful, because during his time it saved the U.S. from financial downfall. Regarding political outcomes, if Hamilton had not died it is very likely that he would have ran for presidency along with James Madison and would have beat him. That one even would put the U.S.'s history in question, because Madison was a very unsuccessful president who people never thought would even equal Jefferson's success. During the Hamilton -- Burr feudal period, politics were more of a personal issue and these two men dominated in trying to rule the other out. Now that Hamilton and burr were out of the picture, there was a void of competition and this left the floor open for new parties or idealistic persons to emerge. The idea that if the out come of the duel were different it could change the course of a presidency surely raises attention. Even though many people don't recognize that the personal duel had an overall national affect, if deeply surveyed, one can find that it is pivotal. Two powerful men were thrown out of the political loom and this left openings for almost anyone to emerge. The successors would either embrace or totally refrain from the original conflicts that were present and change the direction of U.S. history as we know it.