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The Death of Alexander Hamilton
Sentence Combining Activity

Directions: The following passage is interesting, but it is written almost entirely in simple sentences, which makes the writing boring and childish.  Add sophistication to this writing by combining sentences.  REWRITE the following passage. Try to appropriately combine the following sentences. You may add coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.  Use semicolons and commas.  

Hamilton's Most Famous Portrait

The guy on the US ten-dollar bill is Alexander Hamilton. He was killed in a duel by Vice President Aaron Burr.  Hamilton was a revolutionary war hero.  He was George Washington's right-hand man.  He was the first US Secretary of the Treasury.  He formulated an economic policy that got America on its feet.

Aaron Burr was a colonel in the Continental Army.  He served with George Washington at Valley Forge.  In the election of 1800, he was in a deadlock with Thomas Jefferson for the presidency. The election went to the House of Representatives to be decided. Jefferson became the president.  Burr became vice president.

Hamilton had talked a lot of stuff about Aaron Burr before the election.  Some thought it may have cost Hamilton the presidency.  The hatred between the two men would continue until July 1804.  Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton accepted.

The fateful day came on July 11, 1804.  Vice President Aaron Burr and former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton faced off. Hamilton was mortally wounded. He was dragged from the duelling area. He died the next day. While the nation mourned, Burr returned to complete his term as vice president. His success in the duel proved to work toward his downfall.  There was some talk of murder charges being brought against him. However, the rules of the duel were followed. No indictment was carried forward. He would later go on to be charged for treason.  He attempted to establish his own empire in the South.

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