HISTORY
Why did Burr shoot Hamilton on July 11, 1804? What happened to him after the duel?
It took place two hundred and twenty years ago, as some of the most influential men in the United States faced off against each other.
When you glance at the front of a ten-dollar bill, you’ll see the face of one of the founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, proudly looking back at you. But did you know that Hamilton once had a firearm duel with another leading politician of the time? Well, if not, read on.
The beef between Burr and Hamilton
Two centuries have passed since one of America’s most infamous duels altered the course of history. On July 11, 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr fired a fatal shot at Alexander Hamilton, his political rival and former Secretary of the Treasury, in a duel that shocked the young nation. The founding fathers, remember, sealed the declaration on 4 July 1776.
The animosity between Burr and Hamilton had been simmering for years, fuelled by personal slights and deep political divisions. Burr, once a rising star in American politics, had fallen from grace after losing favour with President Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republican Party. Hamilton, a prominent Federalist known for his sharp wit and unyielding principles, had publicly disparaged Burr’s character, further stoking their feud.
How did Alexander Hamilton die?
The duel itself took place on a foggy morning in Weehawken, New Jersey. Standing ten paces apart, with pistols in hand, the two men looked to resolved their differences in one of the methods still turned to at the time. Burr’s shot struck Hamilton, mortally wounding him. Hamilton, a brilliant mind and influential figure, succumbed to his injuries the following day, leaving a void in American politics and society.
For Burr, the aftermath was swift and damning. Despite his legal maneuvers to evade prosecution for murder – duelling was illegal in both New York and New Jersey – he was unable. Burr’s political career was effectively ended, his reputation tarnished irreparably. Though he completed his term as Vice President, he faded into obscurity, embarking on ill-fated ventures that included a controversial conspiracy to establish an independent empire in the western United States.
So, incredible as it may seem today, the date of 11 July is a reminder of that infamous duel, a poignant reminder of the perils of unchecked ambition and personal animosity in politics. It underscored the fragility of the young nation’s democratic experiment and left a legacy of cautionary tales for future generations of leaders. Maybe Donald Trump and Joe Biden should give it a try in 2024.