Alexander Hamilton Lesson Plan

Based on what you read in the Prologue, what qualities do you think Hamilton possessed that made him powerful and successful? What qualities do you think undermined his success or made it difficult for him to accomplish everything he hoped to?

In answering this question, the goal is for students to understand the complex picture Chernow paints of Hamilton -- exploring both the good and bad sides of the man -- so that they can carry that understanding with them as they read. Students should cite both the ways in which Eliza defended Hamilton’s character, as described in the Prologue, as well as how Chernow explains his perspective on the man. Students should note...