Lifestyle

What we now call the First American Party System was birthed over an economic crisis and two huge personalities. During Washington’s presidency the economy ranked as one of his most important issues. The new nation and the individual states faced series debt from the Revolution both from foreign nations and American citizens. The man tasked to face this crisis was Washington’s protégé, Alexander Hamilton. When I was a young professor starting out, I spent at least half a day if not more introducing my students to the founding father I felt was most responsible for the nation as it is today. He only played a small role in America’s freedom; his contribution came after the war with the creation of our government. When I was first teaching, Hamilton had become an obscure founder on the ten-dollar bill that needed explaining. Now I just say America’s favorite rapping founding father and most of the class knows all the words to his play. A man who was ignored for a century on purpose is now most students’ favorite Founder Father.