UNIT 2: the early national period
THE NATIONAL BANK
LI: Analyze the role of government policy in the early economic development of the United States.
SC: I can provide the reasons for and against the creation of a national bank and debate the Constitutional qualification for a bank.
CRASH COURSE: Where US Politics Comes From?
Reading
"The Emergence of Opposition" p. 274-275
Assignment
Read an overview of Hamilton's Financial Program and then read Roger Sherman's position on the program to answer the following questions.
- Would Roger Sherman agree with Hamilton or Jefferson on the issue of a national bank? Why?
- In a well written paragraph create a counter argument to Roger Sherman’s take on Hamilton’s financial plan. Be sure to use evidence from multiple sources to support your counter argument.
HAMILTON VS. JEFFERSON
LI: Provide and evaluate examples of social and political leadership in early American history.
SC: I can use examples from primary sources to interpret each attempted to persuade the same audience.
Reading
"The Jefferson-Hamilton Bargain" p. 275-276
Assignment
Read BOTH Alexander Hamilton's Letter to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson's Letter to George Washington and consider BOTH documents in your answers to the following questions.
- When were these letters written? What controversial issue is causing tension between these two men?
- Why are both Hamilton and Jefferson writing to George Washington? Based on both of these letters, what seems to have been happening in George Washington’s administration? How can you tell?
- Which letter seems angrier? Find a quote to support your claim.
- Write one adjective about each man’s personality and find a quote to support your claim.
In this letter, Hamilton seems to be __________. I’m basing this claim on the following quote:
In this letter, Jefferson seems to be __________. I’m basing this claim on the following quote:
- Who do you believe “started” the fight? Based on what they wrote, whom do you trust more: Hamilton or Jefferson? Why?
JEFFERSON'S IDEAL AMERICA
LI: Examine the development of diverse cultures in what is now the United States.
SC: I can explain in detail what Jefferson’s version of an ideal America would be.
CRASH COURSE: Thomas Jefferson & His Democracy
Reading
"The Democratic-Republican Societies" p. 280
Assignment
Read Jefferson's notes on America as an agrarian republic and answer the discussion questions below.
- Why did Jefferson call farmers “the chosen people of God”?
- Why did Jefferson believe that industrialization would threaten liberty and virtue?
- How did Jefferson’s agrarian ideology draw on the republican ideology?
- What sorts of problems might have resulted from the pursuit of an agrarian United States?
THE WHISKEY REBELLION
LI: Evaluate issues in which fundamental values and principles are in conflict.
SC: I can breakdown the essential arguments on each side of the conflict over a whiskey tax.
Reading
"The Whiskey Rebellion" p. 278
Assignment
Use the primary source packet to complete the graphic organizer.
Then, in a well-written (three paragraph essay) answer the following prompt:
- Was the whiskey tax fair? Choose at least 6 of the primary sources to support your answer.
WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL
LI: Provide and evaluate examples of social and political leadership in early American history.
SC: I can list and explain the warnings George Washington gave to the country in his farewell address.
Reading
"Washington's Farewell Address"
Assignment
After reading George Washington's farewell address answer the following questions.
- Why did George Washington feel that citizens should give their loyalty to the nation as a whole?
- What does President Washington see as dangers to the success of a newly formed United States of America? Cite excerpts from the text to illustrate your point.
- How did Washington feel about loyalty to state and local areas compared to loyalty to the nation?
- What did Washington think about political parties? Why did he feel this way?
- What arguments does Washington use to support his statement that the government is the “main pillar” of independence? Why does he see this as so important and how can it be protected?
- Why did Washington feel differently about foreign trade than foreign alliances?
- Washington writes that in foreign policy “Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course.” What course of action is he arguing that the nation should take?
THE TROUBLES OF JOHN ADAMS
LI: Provide and evaluate examples of social and political leadership in early American history.
SC: I can use the example of the election of 1796 to explain modern US elections.
Reading
"The Election of 1796" p. 284-285
"John Adams: Campaign and Election"
Assignment
After reading up on the election of 1796, answer the questions below.
- Who were the candidates for president in the election of 1796 and what parties did they belong to?
- What were the accusations levied against Jefferson and Adams?
- What might be an issue with a president and vice-president from two different parties?
THE XYZ AFFAIR
LI: Provide and evaluate examples of social and political leadership in early American history.
SC: I can explain how the United States interacted with other nations during the Early National Period.
Reading
Assignment
Read up on the foreign affairs issues that John Adams faced during his presidency to answer the questions below.
- What caused the Quasi-War with France?
- Describe the XYZ affair.
- How did Adams hope to resolve the Quasi-War?
- What were the Alien and Sedition Acts?
ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS
LI: Evaluate issues in which fundamental values and principles are in conflict.
SC: I can debate how the Alien and Sedition acts conflicted with the 1st Amendment.
Reading
"The Reign of Witches" p. 285-286
"The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions" p.286
Assignment
Read up on the domestic affairs that John Adams faced during his presidency to answer the questions below.
- What was Adams' presidential style?
- How did the XYZ Affair alter public perception of Americans towards France?
- What were the four laws of the Alien and Sedition Acts? and what did each law do?
- How did Jefferson and Madison react to the Alien and Sedition Acts?
Next, use this overview of Adams' domestic policies to answer the following questions.
- In the late 1790’s, why was there anti-French feeling in the United States?
- Based on the excerpt of the Alien Act, explain the Alien Act.
- How do you think this made new immigrants in the United States feel?
- Based on the excerpt of the Sedition Act, explain the Sedition Act.
- What effect did this act have on free speech?
- In your own words, explain the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions.
- What would have happened if all of the states had followed Virginia and Kentucky? In other words, what would happen if all states could nullify, or cancel, laws passed by the Federal government?
JEFFERSON AND LIBERTY
LI: Provide and evaluate examples of social and political leadership in early American history.
SC:
Reading
"The Revolution of 1800" p. 287
Assignment
Begin by reading Thomas Jefferson's first inaugural address, then complete the task below.
- Jefferson is considered one of America’s greatest writers. His inaugural address is filled with beautifully constructed thoughts, well expressed. Several phrases are still quoted today: “entangling alliances”; “every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle”; and “we are all Republicans, we are all Federalists.” Consider the historical context of these phrases and discuss the meanings behind them.
- Consider Jefferson’s agenda. Find phrases and sections in which he discusses his views of the American republic and highlight them. For example, where does he discuss his tax policy, states rights, foreign policy, debt reduction? Create a list of policy topics accompanied by Jefferson’s language, then use 21st-century “straight talk” to interpret the president’s text. Go further and compare these policies to those of the Federalists.
- Jefferson acknowledges the audience, Congress, in his inaugural speech. He also refers to George Washington (“our first and greatest revolutionary character”). Does he mention his predecessor, John Adams? Does he refer to Adams’s policies? What do you make of this? How do modern presidents acknowledge their political opponents and their viewpoints?
THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE
LI: Identify the United States territorial expansion between 1801 and 1861 and explain internal and external conflicts.
SC: I can explain how the United States acquired the Louisiana Territory and the conflict between Congress and the President.
Reading
"The Louisiana Purchase" p. 291-292
"Incorporating Louisiana" p. 294
Assignment
Consider these two sources by Alexander Hamilton and Letters by Federalist to complete the graphic organizer.
MARBURY V. MADISON
LI: Identify fundamental values and principles as expressed in basic documents.
SC:
Reading
"Jefferson in Power" p. 290-291
Assignment
Begin by closely examining what powers belong to the Judicial branch according to the U.S. Constitution. Complete the graphic organizer to clarify your thoughts.
Next, examine the case of Marbury v. Madison in reference to the powers of the Supreme Court and the relationship of checks and balances between the branches of government.
Finally, read a retrospective of the case, complete the graphic organizer, then in a well-written paragraph respond to the prompt below:
- Explain the outcome of Marbury v. Madison.
THE WAR OF 1812
LI:
SC:
Reading
Assignment
Consider the following write a brief response to the prompt below:
- What are some of the reasons people use to justify going to war?
Next, write another brief response to the following prompt:
- What are reasons people might be opposed to their country going to war?
Now you will play the role of foreign policy adviser to the president and give him advice on whether or not we should go to war against Britain in 1812. First you must analyze the different arguments for and against going to war with Britain for a second time.
Use the primary source packet to complete the graphic organizer.
Then, in a well-written (three paragraph essay) answer the following prompt:
- Should the United States go to war with Britain? Choose at least 6 of the primary sources to support your answer.
THE MARKET ECONOMY
LI:
SC:
Reading
"Railroads and the Telegraph" p. 311-312
"The Rise of the West" p. 312-315
Assignment
Use the source packet to complete the graphic organizer.
Then, in a well-written (three paragraph essay) answer the following prompt:
- Was the overall impact of the market and transportation revolutions positive or negative? Choose at least 6 of the primary sources to support your answer.