JAKARTA - On this day, exactly 216 years ago or July 11, 1804, there was one of the most famous duels in American history. US Vice President Aaron Burr shot his political rival, Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton, a prominent Federalist and chief architect of America's political economy, died the following day.
Launching History, Hamilton views Burr as a dangerous opportunist. He used to talk badly about Burr. When Burr ran for vice president in 1796, Hamilton launched a series of public attacks against Burr.
It was John Adams who won the presidency. In 1797, Burr left the Senate and returned to New York.
In the 1800 elections, Thomas Jefferson and Burr ran for office again. Burr helped the Democratic-Republican victory by publishing classified documents written by Hamilton criticizing Federalist President John Adams. This caused a rift in Federalis and helped Jefferson and Burr win the election with 73 votes each.
Under the electoral procedure currently in effect, the president and vice president were not elected separately; the candidate receiving the most votes is the elected president and the second is the vice president. But there are some election techniques that are commonplace, developing into a major constitutional crisis when the Federalists lend support to Burr.
After an incredible 35 votes, a small group of Federalists changed positions and voted for Jefferson.
Burr finally succeeded in becoming the vice president. But as time went on, Jefferson and Burr could not mix. Jefferson decided not to support Burr's candidacy for a second term in 1804. That year, New York Federalist profits drastically reduced after Jefferson came to power and asked Burr to become governor.
Hamilton continues to campaign against Burr with gusto. In the campaign, Burr's character was violently attacked by both Hamilton Senyiri and those close to him. Deciding to restore his reputation, Burr challenges Hamilton to a duel.
Honor was commonplace in America at that time. The elaborate rules governing them usually produce respectable resolutions before actual gunfire occurs. In fact, the outspoken Hamilton had been involved in several honorary matters in his life, but was able to resolve most of his problems in a peaceful manner.
However, there is no more peaceful way that Burr and Hamilton can do. On July 11, 1804, the two of them met at 7 a.m. at the dueling field near Weehawken, New Jersey. It is the same place where Hamilton's son died defending his father's honor in 1801.
There are several conflicting reports of what happened. According to witnesses, Hamilton thought the duel was morally wrong and deliberately fired a rifle into the air.
Meanwhile, witnesses from Burr, claim that Hamilton shot at Burr but failed. But what happened next was agreed that Burr shot Hamilton in the stomach and a bullet lodged next to his spine. Hamilton was taken to New York and died the following day.
Cursing Burr's ActionsFew honorific matters actually result in death. The people were outraged by the murder of a man like Alexander Hamilton's class. Charged with murder, Burr, who was still vice president at the time, returned to Washington DC where he completed his term.
In 1805, Burr plotted with James Wilkinson, commander of the US Army, to seize Louisiana territory and establish an independent government which Burr might lead.
He contacted the British government and was unsuccessful in asking for help in the scheme. Then, as border issues with Spain heated up, Burr and Wilkinson conspired to seize territory in Spain for the same purpose.
In the fall of 1806, Burr led a group of well-armed colonies into New Orleans. This prompted an investigation into General Wilkinson who, in an attempt to save himself, turned against Burr and sent word to Washington accusing Burr of treason.
In February 1807, Burr was arrested in Louisiana on charges of treason and sent to Virginia to stand trial in US courts. In September, he was released for technical reasons. Despite this, public opinion condemned him as a traitor, and he fled to Europe.
He then returned to private life in New York, the murder charges against him forgotten. Burr died in 1836.
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