George Washington chose the talented ALEXANDER HAMILTON, who had served with him throughout the Revolutionary War, to take on the challenge of directing federal economic policy as the treasury secretary. Hamilton is a fascinating character whose ambition fueled tremendous success as a self-made man. Born in the West Indies to a single mother who was a shopkeeper, he learned his first economic principles from her and went on to apprentice for a large mercantile firm. From these modest origins, Hamilton would become the foremost advocate for a modern capitalist economy in the early national United States.
Hamilton's influential connections were not just with Washington, but included a network of leading New York merchants and financiers. His 1780 marriage to ELIZABETH SCHUYLER, from a wealthy Hudson River valley land holding family, deepened his ties to rich and powerful leaders in New York. His innovative financial policies helped overcome the fiscal problems of the CONFEDERACY, and also benefited an economic elite with which he had close ties.
"<span>Membership in the League could draw the United States into future wars" would be the best option from the list, since the United States was heavily isolationist at this point, especially after fighting in World War I. </span>
