Since Hamilton entered the political scene in 1774 the arguments about his views have raged through our discussions about government and economics. Because he died at such a young age his legacy was left for others to defend. Unfortunately his enemies have had an easier time framing his comments and actions in a negative light without the response Hamilton would have given had he lived another 30 years. As a result Hamilton is probably the most controversial and misrepresented figure in American history. Many attacks against him were by Southerners who opposed him and his arguments in order to protect slavery in the South.
To understand Hamilton one must seek out good biographies by authors with no hidden agendas. Of course, as Jefferson's greatest political enemy, the primary agenda for many who have attacked Hamilton's legacy is Jeffersonian apologetic. The second is a distrust of banking and business - which mostly originated in the South but continues today among those who blame banking (rather than abuses within banking) for America's problems. Finally, his opponents in his day were frequently motivated by a desire to protect the South and the institution of slavery from the Northern prosperity Hamilton threatened with his policies.
