Often times if a child is abused or neglected, it will affect their rationality in their adult life. As a result this can lead to a life of crimes and bad decision making. This is proven by the life of Aaron Burr junior. Aaron Burr is known in history as one of the most notorious traitors in history (PBS). What if it was not Burr’s fault? What if Aaron Burr’s mind was unable to comprehend right from wrong because of his unhealthy childhood? All pieces in the timeline leading up to the infamous duel between Hamilton and Burr, are plausible contributors in the murder of Alexander Hamilton, and the attempt of treason. As an infant, Aaron Burr came close to death twice from severe fevers (Welling). At the age of two, Burr’s parents both …show more content…

“Burr was charged with having conspired with certain Federalists to wrest the Presidency from Jefferson, despite the fact that he was in Albany during the heated session” (Welling). As Vice President Burr knew he would not be re-elected, so in turn he ran for governor of New York in 1804. Again Hamilton attacked Burr and was victorious (Milton). Enraged over Hamilton’s unethical behavior, Burr challenges him to a duel. On July 11, 1904, the two met in Weehawken, New Jersey. They both raised their guns and Hamilton fired first, wounding but not killing Burr. As Hamilton raised his hands in victory, Burr raised his gun and killed Hamilton. Aaron Burr had just committed murder. “With warrants out for his arrest in New York and New Jersey, Burr traveled to Philadelphia and then to the South to escape capture” (ANB). At Burr’s trail for the killing of Alexander Hamilton, William Van Ness said, the guns were hidden in a “portmanteau,” enabling the boatmen who rowed the participants to the dueling ground to testify that they “saw no pistols.” The boatmen and Hosack stood with their backs to the duelists, enabling them to testify that they “did not see the firing” (Freeman) Because of this testimony Aaron Burr was acquitted, this did not convince Hamilton’s supporters of Burr’s innocence. “The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803. Aaron Burr saw the territory as a place where his political hopes could be revived. Conspiring with James