Essay Question: Being the first has its advantages and disadvantages. Consider the struggles of the first three Presidents (Washington, Adams and Jefferson) and determine in hindsight what lessons were learned concerning executive authority, the question of a National Bank, class division, freedom of speech and international relations. Summarize your findings by proposing policy guidelines for modern American presidents.
Project Based Lesson: Publishing an Early American Newspaper - Students will design the layout, write the articles, create the advertisements and script the editorials for a replica version of an early American newspaper. Comparative analysis will also be done concerning the development of the media from then to now. Students will focus their content on the French Revolution, the Whiskey Rebellion, the XYZ Affair, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the Louisiana Purchase, the Embargo Act and more.
Readings/Internet: Washington's Neutrality Proclamation, Farewell Address, Letters of John Adams
Links Lesson: 1) Cause and Effect chart on the Whiskey Rebellion, 2) Compare and Contrast Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian views on federalism and the National Bank, 3) Concept Web of the important domestic and foreign events concerning the presidencies of Washington, Adams and Jefferson.
Essential Questions: 1) What factors determine a presidents greatness?Was Washington a great president? 2) Are political parties effective instruments of democratic government? 3) How should history judge Jefferson, who profited from slaves yet promoted democracy? 4) Could slavery have been abolished in the beginning of the American republic? 5) Was another war with England inevitable?Why or why not?
Identification Terms
Whiskey Rebellion
George Washington
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison
Thomas Jefferson
Gen. Anthony Wayne
French Revolution
Louis XVI
British Impressments
Neutrality Proclamation
French Privateering
Madisons Compromise
Report on Credit
Assumption of Debts
Battle of Fallen Timbers
British Western Forts
XYZ Affair
Alien & Sedition Acts
Loyalists Property
Native American Treaties
Burr v. Hamilton Duel
Citizen Genet
Louisiana Purchase
Embargo of 1808
Election of 1800
Farewell Address
Democrat-Republicans
National Bank
Mosquito Fleet
Lewis & Clark Expedition
Short Answer Questions
1. Hamilton and Jefferson both had different visions for Americas economic future.Whose vision was right, in your opinion, and why?
2. Washingtons Neutrality Proclamation became unofficial US policy until WW1. In what ways was it strategically wise and/or unwise?
3. Parallel the Whiskey Rebellion with a similar event in US history and defend or oppose the governments response in both cases.
4. Describe the nature of the conflict that eventually resulted in the fateful duel between Hamilton and Burr and its consequences.
5. Compare the elections of 1800 and 2000.How can both be argued as case examples of democratic power or political manipulation?
6. Does the misuse of government power (Alien & Sedition Acts) negate democratic government? Use logic & evidence for your answer?
7. What impact did the French Revolution have on American politics, culture and the citizens of the United States?
8. Describe the Lewis and Clark expedition and its scientific, political, military and cultural impact on the evolution of the United States.
9. Was the Louisiana Purchase constitutional? Explain its origin and the political, military and economic consequences of the purchase.
10. Compare and rate the presidencies of Washington, Adams and Jefferson by leadership, accomplishments and challenges.
