The beginning of government under the new constitution brought together a number of stars of the revolutionary era: Washington, of course, as president, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Rarely have revolutionary leaders become statesmen of the first rank. Because of his firm guidance, Washington was able to keep the country on a safe course despite the turmoil caused by renewed European hostilities related to the French Revolution. His rectitude stabilized the frail new government. From 1789 to 1828, America became more democratic. The Founding Fathers had not anticipated political parties, but different ideas about government divided leaders and the public. As president, Jefferson reduced the size of the federal government. After purchasing the Louisiana Territory from the French, he named Lewis and Clark to lead an expedition of discovery. Differences between Great Britain and the United States prompted a renewal of hostilities in 1812. Although the war was short and inconclusive, a wave of patriotism washed over Americans when it ended. By the time the country had experienced two presidential terms, people had begun to think of themselves as Americans. A new sense of pride and unity influenced all areas of American society, from politics to art, from economics to religion. Settlers began moving deeper into the continent and the United States began to grow.
Students will be able to:
Evaluate decisions made by the new government.
Analyze and explain American relations with European nations under Washington and Adams.
Contrast the views of the developing political parties.
Describe how John Marshall affected the powers of the Supreme Court and the federal government.
Locate the Louisiana Purchase on a map and discuss the importance of the purchase.
Identify the War Hawks.
Describe and analyze the events of the War of 1812.
Summarize the Missouri Compromise.
Evaluate the concept of and justifications for Manifest Destiny.
Assess the impact of the policy of removal of the Native Americans to Indian Territory.
Draw conclusions about the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Identify and evaluate the importance of the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision.
Evaluate the importance of the election of 1860.