What'd I Miss | Hamilton Animatic

Jasmin McPines

8 Aug 201703:56

Summary

TLDRThe script is from the musical 'Hamilton,' featuring Thomas Jefferson's return to America after time in Paris. It highlights his immediate involvement in the new nation's politics as Secretary of State, facing Hamilton's financial plan and the emerging two-party system. The energetic dialogue captures the tension and excitement of the early American government, with Jefferson eager to contribute despite his recent return.

Takeaways

🎭 The script is from a musical theater performance, likely 'Hamilton', given the historical context and characters mentioned.
🗽 The setting is post-revolutionary America, with a focus on the early years of the United States and the challenges faced by its founding figures.
💼 Thomas Jefferson is a central character, returning from Paris to take on the role of Secretary of State in President Washington's cabinet.
💡 The script highlights the political tension and ideological differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, particularly regarding financial policies.
🏛️ Jefferson's return signifies a new era in American politics, with the establishment of a two-party system and the beginning of his political career in the United States.
📜 The mention of 'Treasury Secretary' and 'Secretary of State' indicates the script addresses the formation of the U.S. government's executive branch.
🌟 The script portrays the dynamic between key founding fathers, including Washington, Hamilton, and Madison, and their roles in shaping the nation's early policies.
📨 There's a reference to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, suggesting the script touches on the philosophical underpinnings of the American Revolution.
🏞️ Jefferson expresses his affection for Virginia and his eagerness to return home, indicating a personal connection to his home state and the broader American experiment.
🚀 The script conveys a sense of urgency and the fast-paced nature of political developments during this period, with characters quickly adapting to new roles and responsibilities.

Q & A

What is the significance of the year 1789 mentioned in the script?
-The year 1789 is significant because it is around the time when Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was appointed as the first Secretary of the Treasury, which is referenced in the script.
Who is the 'bastard orphan, immigrant' referred to in the script?
-The 'bastard orphan, immigrant' is a reference to Alexander Hamilton, who was born out of wedlock in the Caribbean and later immigrated to the United States.
What is the role of Thomas Jefferson in the script?
-In the script, Thomas Jefferson is depicted as a key figure in the early American government, returning from Paris to take up the role of Secretary of State in Washington's administration.
Why is Thomas Jefferson excited to return to Virginia?
-Thomas Jefferson is excited to return to Virginia, his home state, as indicated by his desire to give it a 'kiss' and his eagerness to be back after his time in Paris.
What does the script imply about the relationship between Hamilton and Jefferson?
-The script suggests a rivalry and political tension between Hamilton and Jefferson, as they have differing views on financial policies and the direction of the new nation.
What is the 'financial plan' that Hamilton is proposing, as mentioned in the script?
-The 'financial plan' refers to Hamilton's economic policies, which included the establishment of a national bank and the assumption of state debts by the federal government.
Why is James Madison described as 'red in the face' in the script?
-James Madison is described as 'red in the face' to convey his urgency and the gravity of the situation regarding the nation's financial and political future as they discuss Hamilton's plan.
What is the 'cabinet meeting' that Jefferson is preparing for?
-The 'cabinet meeting' refers to the first meeting of President Washington's cabinet, where key decisions about the nation's policies and direction would be discussed.
What does the script suggest about the state of the United States upon Jefferson's return?
-The script implies that the United States is in a period of significant political and economic change, with the new government grappling with foundational issues such as financial policy and the balance of power.
How does the script portray the early political climate of the United States?
-The script portrays the early political climate as dynamic and contentious, with the founding figures engaged in heated debates and negotiations to shape the future of the country.

Outlines

00:00

😎 Thomas Jefferson's Homecoming and Political Challenge

The paragraph introduces Thomas Jefferson returning from Paris and immediately facing the challenges of the new American government. It humorously depicts his surprise at being appointed as Secretary of State, despite just arriving home. The narrative captures the urgency of political debates, particularly around Hamilton's financial plan, which is seen as a form of government control. Jefferson's interaction with James Madison highlights the tension and the need for strategic alliances to navigate the early American political landscape.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Immigrant

An immigrant is a person who moves to a country other than their own with the intention of living there permanently. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe the diverse backgrounds of the founding fathers, emphasizing the melting pot nature of America's early population. The script mentions 'bastard orphan, immigrant' to highlight the humble beginnings of one of the characters, possibly Alexander Hamilton, who was indeed an immigrant from the Caribbean.

💡Treasury Secretary

The Treasury Secretary is a high-ranking official who oversees the treasury department of a country, responsible for financial and economic matters. In the script, it's mentioned that 'Washington's the President' and 'Treasury Secretary' refers to Alexander Hamilton's role in the newly formed U.S. government, indicating his influence on financial policy and setting a precedent for the country's economic direction.

💡Two-party system

A two-party system is a political system where two major political parties dominate the government. The script alludes to the development of such a system in the United States, suggesting a division in political ideologies and the beginning of a competitive political landscape. The lyrics 'Pissed him off until we had a two-party system' imply that the character's actions and disagreements led to the establishment of this system.

💡Ambassador to France

An ambassador is a diplomatic official sent to represent a country in another country. The script mentions 'ambassador to France' to describe Thomas Jefferson's role prior to his return to America, indicating his diplomatic experience and the international connections that would influence his political views and actions upon his return.

💡Virginia

Virginia is one of the U.S. states and a significant player in the early history of the country. In the script, 'Virginia, my home sweet home' is used by Thomas Jefferson to express his affection for his home state, which was also one of the thirteen colonies that played a crucial role in the American Revolution and the formation of the United States.

💡Monticello

Monticello is the name of Thomas Jefferson's estate in Virginia, which serves as a symbol of his personal life and his architectural and agricultural interests. The script's line 'I gotta be in Monticello' reflects Jefferson's desire to return to his home and his commitment to the ideals and work that he pursued there.

💡Secretary of State

The Secretary of State is a senior official in the U.S. government who advises the President on foreign policy and represents the nation in diplomatic matters. The script mentions 'And that I am to be the Secretary of State' to indicate the significant role Thomas Jefferson was about to take on, emphasizing his involvement in the nation's diplomatic affairs and his influence on the country's international relations.

💡Cabinet

A cabinet in a government context refers to a group of senior officials who advise the head of state and are responsible for various government departments. The script's mention of 'the President's assembling a cabinet' highlights the formation of the U.S. government's executive branch, emphasizing the collaborative nature of governance and the importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making.

💡Financial plan

A financial plan refers to a strategy or set of policies designed to manage a country's economic resources and fiscal policies. In the script, 'Hamilton's new financial plan' is mentioned, indicating a point of contention and debate among the characters, reflecting the real historical disputes over economic policy in the early United States.

💡Political abyss

A political abyss metaphorically refers to a deep and complex situation of political turmoil or uncertainty. The line 'Headfirst into a political abyss!' from the script suggests that the characters are facing significant challenges and conflicts in the political landscape, which is a central theme of the narrative as it depicts the early struggles of the U.S. government.

💡Cabinet meeting

A cabinet meeting is a formal gathering of a government's cabinet members to discuss and make decisions on important issues. The script's reference to 'I have my first cabinet meeting today' underscores the significance of these meetings in the decision-making process and the collaborative effort required to govern a new nation, setting the stage for the political discussions and debates that follow.

Highlights

The reference to the year 1789 and the beginning of the American experiment.

The portrayal of a founding father as an immigrant and war veteran.

The mention of uniting the colonies through debt and the subsequent conflict with other founding fathers.

The concept of having it all and losing it all, reflecting the tumultuous nature of the times.

The introduction of the Treasury Secretary role and Washington's presidency.

The emergence of a two-party system as a result of political resistance.

The anticipation of meeting Thomas Jefferson, highlighting his importance.

Jefferson's return from Paris and his eagerness to contribute to the new nation.

The acknowledgment of the French Revolution's influence on the American political climate.

Jefferson's drafting of a declaration with Lafayette, indicating his active role in shaping the nation's ideology.

The surprise of being appointed as Secretary of State upon returning home.

The immediate call to action to address Hamilton's financial plan.

The urgency of the political situation and the need to navigate a 'political abyss'.

The first cabinet meeting and the anticipation of addressing the nation's challenges.

The personal touch of Jefferson's return to Virginia and the mention of his home, Monticello.

The humorous reflection on missing the late eighties, adding a light-hearted tone to the historical context.