Death By Duel
Let's argue... to the DEATH!
Duels have become things of legend. Stories of duels can be found in great books, comics, silly jokes, famous movies, and even in cartoons like Bugs Bunny. Dueling is used in fiction purposes. They even have dueling in Star Wars! There has been dueling through our government. One of the most famous duels was the Vice President against A Secretary If Treasery. Let's shoot right into it!
Oh yeah... Take that!
Dueling was something people did to finish an argument once and for all. Dueling was originally from Europe starting in the Middle Ages. It was known as a judicial combat because God chose the right person to win. What would happen was the two people in a fight would have a secondary person decide a place, what weapon would be used and a time to do the duel. Until the duel they could apologize and call off the duel if they wanted. On the date and time of the duel the two people in a fight would stand back to back. Depending on how big the fight determined how many steps you would take. For example if you couldn't stand each other you would take less but if it wasn't a big deal than you would take more steps. Anyways a bystander would count off the steps and the two people would shoot or use the weapon of the secondary person's choice. The thing was what ever happend, happend.
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr was the Vice President to Thomas Jefferson.
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Secratary of Treasury. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Secretary+of+the+Treasury
Duel pistol
This is a Dueling Kit.
Leading Up To The Duel
How Did It All Begin?
These two men, Alexander and Aaron, had been fighting for awhile. They seemed to always be getting into arguments but, a big part of the reason there was this famous duel was the New York Goveners Race in 1804. At the time Aaron turned his back on the republicans and ran as an independent. Aaron would regain power. Alexander on the other hand was mortified by the thought of Aaron Burr being the leader of New York. So in early 1804 Alexander tried to convince New York federalist not to support Aaron. At the end of the election Aaron's complain failed.
The Last Warning!
The final cause to the duel was in Febuary 1804. Alexander gave a forceful speech, about Aaron, at a dinner party. At that party there was a man by the name of Dr. Charles D. Cooper who later wrote a letter to Philp Schulyer. In which he later made a reference to "Despicable Opinion." Which was the speech about Aaron. That letter was later published in a New York newspaper. Aaron figured that he could get a victory on the duel ground. So he challenged Alexander Hamilton to a duel.
The Letter "Dispicanle Opinion."
Preparations
When Alexander was challenged to the duel by Aaron, Alexander did not want to do the duel. Unfortunately politics left Alexander no choice. If Alexander admitted to Aaron's charge, which was mostly true, he would lose his honor. If he refused the same thing would happen. Either way his political career would be over. Eventually Aaron and Alexander decided to meet on the morning of July 11, 1804 in Weehawken, New Jersy. Before the duel Alexander went on with his daily life, continuing to work at his law office. He showed little signs of fear about the upcoming duel. Though he did prepare his will and write letters to his wife. Alexander told Elizabeth, his wife, that he would not fire his duel pistol at Aaron. Alexander explained that he would rather risk his life than take one in a duel.
Dreadful Duel Day
Duel Day!
On the morning of July 11, 1804 Alexander was rowed across the Hudson River from New York to Weehawken. By his friend Nathan Pendleton and his doctor Daivid Hosack. When Alexander arrived he and Aaron took the dueling ground. After that they stood back to back. Then they began on a bystanders count. 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10! Alexander and Aaron had both turned but only Aaron ready to shoot. With a loud crack in the air Aaron had fired! The shot hit Alexander and as he fell to the ground his finger hit the trigger sending a shot into the air but not harming Aaron. Still Alexander clung to life.
Saying Goodbye
After the duel was officially over Nathan and David rowed Alexander back to a friends house in New York City. Aaron's shot had ripped through Alexander's liver and went to his sturdy spine. Elizabeth rushed to Alexander's side. The happy couple was able to say goodbye. Alexander died quietly at age 49 on the afternoon of July 12, 1804.
Elizabeth Hamilton
Aaron Burr had the option to challenge Alexander to the duel. Aaron also could have stopped the duel before hand. If you were Aaron and you had been in a fight for so long would you have taken the shot?
Take a short quiz! Create kahoot 312832