Question

Chernow describes how both politicians "stumbled into the two great sex scandals of the early Republic." What were the scandals? How did each individual respond to the accusations? How were their responses consistent with what you read about them from the text?

Answer 1

The sex scandals of the early republic relate to Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton had been involved in paying funds to his lover's husband over the course of a year. His response was a lengthy, almost 100 page account of the affair. Jefferson never responded to the allegations that he had taken one of his slaves as a lover. They were ambitious and would do what it took to maintain and increase power, as such they both responded in tactical ways, which they felt would create the best opportunities for each of them.

Answer 2

Answer:

What were the scandals?  

Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were the ones to have sex scandals during the early Republic.  

Hamilton had been paying funds to his lover's husband in order to conceal the affair over the course of a year.  

How did each individual respond to the accusations?  

Alexander Hamilton’s response was a lengthy, almost 100-page account of the affair only after being discovered.  

Jefferson on the other hand denied the allegations and never acknowledged that he had taken Sally Hemmings, a slave, as a lover and having more than a couple of children with her.  

How were their responses consistent with what you read about them from the text?  

The responses were consistent according to Chernow’s text except for the fact that information on Jefferson's affair came years after death.  A study was only commissioned years after which in 2001 concluded Jefferson was likely the father of Eston Hemings and other children he had with Sally Hemmings.  

Explanation:

Hamilton had to deal with the situation while still alive, tarnishing his reputation. Jefferson has traditionally enjoyed a favorable untarnished legacy in history books.