that the American Revolution and the creation of an independent state were not inevitable at all. Ellis goes on to outline two conflicting interpretations of the American Revolution to drive home the divided ideology that, he argues, still remains at the center of American political and academic discourse today.

Thomas Jefferson and his adherents tended to interpret the American Revolution as an act of individual rebellion against a centralized state. The Jeffersonian interpretation is a libertarian ideology, one that if followed strictly may have prevented the different states from entering into a union. In this view, there would have been no purpose in rebelling against the British Empire only to create a new centralized power. This view characterizes the stance of the early Republicans.

In contrast, the Hamiltonian interpretation ofbetween Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. The duel takes place in 1804 and ends with the death not only of Hamilton but also of Burr’s political career. By this time, Burr had risen as high as Vice President under Thomas Jefferson, and Hamilton was considered the “intellectual well-spring” of Federalism.

Although successful, both men were controversial figures. Burr’s personal life was rife with intrigue, and some of his contemporaries argued that his political life was as notorious for its unprincipled party jumping. Meanwhile, Hamilton also had a habit of making enemies. His chief political opponent was Thomas Jefferson. However, Hamilton would set himself against the unprincipled Aaron Burr, even if it meant supporting Thomas Jefferson. By 1804, the two men had fought a battle of words in the press