Synopsis

According to narrator Linda Hunt, the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr occurred in 1804, pitting “the founder of American capitalism and the first modern American politician” against each other. The program includes biographical sketches of Burr (1756-1836) and Hamilton (1757-1804), alongside an exploration of the political divisions that separated them. In the nascent years of the nation, political parties had yet to solidify, and, as historian Joanne Freeman notes, “the political