Famous People: Duels: Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr

Learn about duels: their historical beginning, rules, reasons, and outcomes. Find out how popular duels were in America and learn about the most infamous and tragic duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Read biographies of Hamilton and Burr and find out what provoked that duel. Included is an eThemes resource on the Revolutionary War.

Grades

Links

Fact Monster: Duel: Learn the anatomy of duels: their historical origins, reasons, and outcomes. NOTE: The site includes banner ads.
PBS: Dueling, American Style: Find out how defending an honor through dueling grew in America and what influence the Hamilton and Burr duel had on public opinion. Select links at the bottom or at the top of the page to read about Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton, and the Code Duello. Click on the “Timeline” link at the left to learn about events that led to the duel. NOTE: This site includes sponsored ads.
PBS: Philip Hamilton's Duel: Read how Philip Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton’s son, died in a duel defending his father’s honor. Scroll down the page and click on the “Next” link to read about the Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s Duel three years after. NOTE: This site includes sponsored ads.
Mark Twain: "A Duel Prevented": Read this story by Mark Twain about one unfortunate duel. NOTE: The site leads to websites with discussion forums.
Duel at Dawn, 1804: This site has a description of the Hamilton/Burr duel. A printer-friendly version is available. NOTE: This site includes ads.
America's Library: Duel to the Death: This site has a brief description of the duel and some related photographs.
FactMonster: Aaron Burr: Students can read this encyclopedia article on Aaron Burr. NOTE: This site includes ads.
PBS: The Burr Conspiracy: The site explains the Burr Conspiracy. NOTE: This site includes sponsored ads.
Alexander Hamilton: Read the biography of Alexander Hamilton. Find out what kind of man he was, what he did for his country, and what his political views were.
PBS: American Experience: Alexander Hamilton: Students can watch videos on each of the chapters about Hamilton’s life by clicking on “Watch the Program.” Students can also take a quiz on America’s founding principles. Click on “People & Events” for detailed information on Alexander Hamilton, Phillip Hamilton, Elizabeth Schuyler, and others. NOTE: This site includes sponsored ads.
PBS: How Alexander Hamilton Shaped America, Part One: Students can read the full transcript for this discussion.
PBS: How Alexander Hamilton Shaped America, Part Two: Students can read the full transcript for this second part of the discussion.
eThemes Resource: Revolutionary War: Middle School: These sites are about the Revolutionary War and the various causes. The reading level is for middle school students. Includes paintings and examples of political cartoons from the Revolutionary period to the present. There is interactive role-playing and other games.