Claire

= Beare US History Research Wiki Journal Prompts = = =


 * Journal Entry 1:** Topic and ideas -- What are you investigating? What are the questions that are guiding your investigation.

Claire O’Brien

Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were the leading federalists in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s for the country. Hamilton and Burr both attempted to gain the support and power of the people. Burr ran for the governor of New York while Hamilton, the secretary of treasuring, continued to revolutionize the countries economic situation. Burr was rumored to be attempting to detach the Western States from the Union and therefore committing treason. Burr, while running for governor, lost his election and blamed his failure upon his rival, Alexander Hamilton. Burr, through anger and revenge, challenged Hamilton to a duel in Weehawken New Jersey. I am going to research the events that climaxed into this duel. What were the rumored conspiracies? Was Burr actually committing treason or was it just a speculation? What was the publics’ reaction to the death of Hamilton and was his death perceived as honorable? Furthermore, I want to dig into the aftermath of Burr’s life. What happened to him after he fled New York, and was he successful in his career? Burr and Hamilton had been enemies for many years. Burr killed Hamilton while Burr was unscathed. The death of Hamilton and fall from grace of Burr all could have been avoided easily. Jealously, rage, revenge, honor, and pride came in the way of America’s future. The outcome of the countries’ government would have been different if it weren’t for the stubbornness of these two men.

References:
 * Fradin, D. B., & Day, L.,. (2008). //Duel! : Burr and hamilton's deadly war of words//. New York: Walker & Co.
 * St. George, J.,. (2009). //The duel : The parallel lives of alexander hamilton & aaron burr//. New York, N.Y.: Viking.


 * Journal Entry 2:** A comment on your process to date, a brief discussion of your sources, and a listing of sources you are currently working with (correct Turabian format). This should be a significant step forward from your initial bibliography.

The focus of my research has shifted toward the multiple conflicts and rivalries that occurred between Hamilton and Burr before the duel of 1804. Burr and Hamilton were rivals since the beginning of their political years as they both sabotaged and blamed one other for countless circumstances. The books that I have checked out have not been nearly as informant as the databases online. The books are harder to sift through to find the raw facts, while the online articles go right to the point. For example, "The Real Treason of Aaron Burr" was a 600 page novel that provided almost no useful information rather then an exaggerated story. I have learned that I need to try a broad variety of sources and to not just get stuck on one source. I discovered a video about these two men called "The Duel". However, I don't have any access to it. In the future I should look for resources earlier that way I can inter-library loan resources. I have found Jstore the most helpful. Its articles are almost guaranteed to be right on the target of my research. The majority of my sources are from this site; however, the sources available range from primary journals to textbook passages. Furthermore, the passages are clear concise, and provide viable examples for claims made. Rorabaugh, W. J. "The Political Duel in the Early Republic: Burr v. Hamilton." //Journal of the Early Republic// 15, no. 1 (Spring, 1995): 1-23. This source has been by far the most reliable. It provides not only information on the duel itself but also on their previous encounters. It went into detail of Burr's presidential election as well and the release of Hamilton's personal documents by the acts of Burr. Furthermore, it is also quotes primary sources that provides witnessed accounts of the time period. While extremely helpful, this source has given me almost too much information. The majority of what I have learned is derived from this journal. I need to further expand my bibliography and find other chalk filled sources. Over all my research is coming along. I am still configuring a thesis. My area of focus has narrowed down from the duel itself to the political background of the two participates. I am particularly interested in Burr’s race for president and Hamilton’s disapproval of the matter. The sabotage between these two politicians is much more connected then I imagined. One source, "Dueling as Politics" told me that the senate seat of Burr was given to him by Hamilton's father-in-law. In the meantime Hamilton was disapproving his placement into the senate. Not only did the conflict exist between these two men, but also among their families.

Bibliography:

"**AARON BURR'S PISTOLS**." //Boston Daily Globe//, Aug 11, 1886, 1886. pg.1. Fradin, Dennis B. and Larry Day. //Duel! : Burr and Hamilton's Deadly War of Words//. New York: Walker & Co., 2008. Freeman, Joanne B. "Dueling as Politics: Reinterpreting the Burr-Hamilton Duel." //The William and Mary Quarterly// 53, no. 2 (Apr., 1996): 289-318. Gordon S. Wood. "The Real Treason of Aaron Burr." //Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society// 143, no. 2 (Jun., 1999): 280-95. ———. "The Real Treason of Aaron Burr." //Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society// 143, no. 2 (Jun., 1999): 280-95. Hamilton, Alexr, James Nicholson, De Witt Clinton, Nichs Fish, Rufus King, Brockholst Livingston, and Milton Halsey Thomas. "Alexander Hamilton's Unfought Duel of 1795." //The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography// 78, no. 3 (Jul., 1954): 342-52. ———. "Alexander Hamilton's Unfought Duel of 1795." //The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography// 78, no. 3 (Jul., 1954): 342-52. Melton, Buckner F. //Aaron Burr : Conspiracy to Treason//. New York: Wiley, 2001. Parmet, Herbert S. and Marie B. Hecht. //Aaron Burr; Portrait of an Ambitious Man,//. New York: Macmillan, 1967. Rorabaugh, W. J. "The Political Duel in the Early Republic: Burr v. Hamilton." //Journal of the Early Republic// 15, no. 1 (Spring, 1995): 1-23. St. George, Judith,. //The Duel : The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton & Aaron Burr//. New York, N.Y.: Viking, 2009. Wells, Colin. ""Aristocracy", Aaron Burr, and the Poetry of Conspiracy." //Early American Literature// 39, no. 3 (2004): 553-76. ———. ""Aristocracy", Aaron Burr, and the Poetry of Conspiracy." //Early American Literature// 39, no. 3 (2004): 553-76.


 * Journal Entry 3:** What is your Thesis?

Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr clashed from the beginning of their relationship. Their careers were riddled with revenge, sabotage, and deception. Born to oppose one another, in the late 1700’s Hamilton said, “I feel it a religious duty to oppose his career.” [1] Their hatred for each other was deeply imbedded in their politics and policy’s. While Alexander Hamilton endeavored to warn the country of Burrs jeopardous actions, Burr, in the words of Hamilton himself, was being “as unprincipled and dangerous a man as any country can boast.” [2] If only the country were to listen to Hamilton, they would have realized that he was right.

[1] Hamilton, Alexander, and Richard B. Morris. //Alexander Hamilton and the Founding of the Nation.// New York: Dial Press, 1957. [2] Rorabaugh, W. J. "The Political Duel in the Early Republic: Burr v. Hamilton." //Journal of the Early Republic// 15, no. 1 (Spring, 1995): 1-23.