Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Assignments for 11/10 - 11/18; the Jeffersonian Republic

For Thursday, 11/ 10: Thomas Jefferson,  Read 211-225
1. How was Thomas Jefferson different from the two previous presidents?
2. Jefferson has been described as a man of the people, an aristocratic hypocrite, a frenzied radical, a philosopher, a scientist, a pragmatic politician, and a high-minded idealist. Which was he?
3. What was Jefferson’s vision of what America should be? Was he successful in achieving his vision?
4. What was the significance of the Marbury v. Madison case.
5. Why were we able to purchase Louisiana? Did Jefferson violate his principles in purchasing Louisiana? Why did he do it?
Know the significance of the following: Election of 1800,Aaron Burr, James Madison, Monticello, University of Virginia, Albert Gallatin, Marbury v. Madison (1801), judicial review, Louisiana Purchase (1803), Toussant L’Ouverture, Napoleon Bonaparte, William Clark, Meriwether Lewis, Sacjawea


For Tuesday, 11/14: James Madison, Read 225-232
1. Why did the U.S. get into conflict with Great Britain and France?
2. How did Jefferson react to these abridgements of our sovereignty and our citizens’ rights? What were the results?
3. How did Madison react? What were the results?
4. Why did we go to war with England instead of France?
Know the significance of the following: James Madison, Rule of 1756, Impressment, Leopard v. Chesapeake, Embargo Act (1807), Non-Intercourse Act (1809), Orders in Council (1809), Milan Decree (1809), Macon’s Bill #2 (1810), “war hawks”, John Calhoun , Henry Clay


 For Wednesday 11/15: War of 1812, Read 233-240.
1. Who should have won the war? What were the most important battles?
2. Why did the war end? Who won?
3. What were the results of the war for the U.S.? What were the results of the war for American Indians? What were the results of the war for the Federalists?
Know the significance of the following: Tenskwatawa (The Prophet), Tecumseh, William Henry Harrison, Battle of Tippecanoe (1811), Battle of Put-In-Bay (1813), Battle of the Thames (1813), Battle of New Orleans (1815), Treaty of Ghent (1814), Hartford Convention (1814)

Interesting documentary that shows the conflict over the MidWest from the eyes of Tecumseh



For Friday 11/17: Monroe, Sectionalism and Nationalism in Era of Good Feelings, Read 242-255
1. Why was this era called the Era of Good Feelings.
2. What caused the Panic of 1819? What effect did it have?
3. What did the Missouri Compromise decide? Why was it so important?
4. What effect did John Marshall have on the Supreme Court?
5. How did the United States acquire Florida?
6. What was the Monroe Doctrine? Why was it so important?
7. Was John Quincy Adams an able diplomat? Why?
Know the significance of the following: James Monroe, Panic of 1819, Missouri Compromise, John Quincy Adams, Adams-Onis Treaty, Monroe Doctrine, John Marshall, Marbury v. Madison (1801), Dartmouth College v.Woodward (1819), McCullough v. Maryland(1819)

Friday, October 28, 2011

Assignments for 11/1- 11/7; Washington, Hamilton, and Adams

For Thursday: Topic - Washington & Hamilton: Read 190-201
1. Who was Alexander Hamilton?
2. What were Alexander Hamilton’s goals and plans?
3. Know the basic recommendations of the Reports on the Public Credit, Manufactures, and the Bank.
4. Why were they so controversial?
5. Explain the ideological and political differences between the Federalists and the Democratic Republicans (Jeffersonian Democrats).
6. Who were the leaders of each party? What groups supported each party?
7. Why was the Whiskey Rebellion significant? (Think about the recent rebellions.)
8. What threats were there to the nation from American Indians, the British, and the French? How did they resolve each threat? Were they successful in resolving each threat?
9. What were Washington’s feelings about the development of parties? Look to his “Farewell Address.” Do you agree with him?
10. Was Washington a good president? What were his achievements and precedents?

Know the significance of the following:  John Jay, Henry Knox, Report on the Public Credit, Report on Manufactures , Bank of the United States, strict interpretation/construction, loose interpretation/construction, Elastic Clause (Art. I, Sec. 8), Whiskey Rebellion, Citizen Genet, Gen. “Mad” Anthony Wayne, Battle of Fallen Timbers (1795), Treaty of Greenville (1795), Jay’s Treaty (1795), Pinckney’s Treaty (1796), Federalists, Democratic Republicans, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison

The Essential Debate Between Fedralists and Democratic-Republicans


For Monday: Topic - John Adams: Read 201-209
1. What was Adams like? Was he a good politician? Was he a good president?
2. Why was Jefferson his vice president? Was this a good situation?
3. Evaluate Adams’ presidency. Pay particular attention to the Alien and Sedition Acts, the XYZ Affair, and the Quasi-War with France.
4. Why was the election of 1800 so important?
Know the significance of the following:  XYZ Affair, Quasi-War (1798-1800), Alien Act (1798), Alien Enemies Act (1798), Sedition Act (1798), Naturalization Act (1798)

John Adams at his best and worst in the two videos below:


Monday, October 24, 2011

Assignments 10/26-10/28

For Wednesday: Using your textbook and the resources found in the Study Guides and Resources page, learn the followingthe following:
1. What is federalism?
2. What does separation of powers mean?
3. Who has the power to declare war?
4. Who controls the military?
5. Who negotiates treaties?
6. Who approves treaties?
7. Who decides the constitutionality of laws?
8. How are federal judges chosen?
9. How are cabinet members chosen?
10. What is the process by which laws are made?
11. What is the process by which amendments are made?
12. What is the Electoral College?
13. How are judges and executive officials removed from office?
14. How are Senators selected and how long are they in office?
15. How are members of the House of Representatives selected and how long are they in office?




For Thursday Read 190-192 and Bill of Rights. Prepare for Chunky Monkey Case (found in the Study Guides and Resources page .  Bring copy of Constitution to class for use during class.  The Constitution can be found in your textbook or you can bring it in another form.
As you read pages 190-192, consider the follwoing questions

1. Who wrote the Bill of Rights?
2. Why was it written?
3. What basic rights does it protect?




For Friday: Chunky Monkey Assignment due




Friday, October 21, 2011

Revolutionary War in New York City

At your leisure, I suggest you watch the episodes of the New York documentary that discuss the Revolutionary War in new York City.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Bonus Discussion #1: Is it Ever Appropriate to Break the Law?

American history is full of instances when Americans have broken laws that they felt were unjust or wrong-headed.  From the Boston Tea Party, to the Revolution, to the Civil War, to the Civil Rights Movement, to the current Occupy Wall Street movement, Americans have consciously broken laws as acts of defiance.  When and how is it aapropriate to break the law (if ever)? 

The quality of your contributions to this discussion can earn you bonus points on your most recent test.  Be sure to "sign" your name to each of your comments and do respond to each other's comments.  This discussion will last for one week.



Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Assignments: 10/13- 10/25

For Thursday: review Notes on Chapter 7 for class discussion.


For Friday:  Read pages 140 - 150 and complete 2nd Continental Congress Assignment (to be distributed in class).



for Tuesday: Test on Chapters 1-7.

for Wednesday: Read pages 150-156.  Consider the following questions as you read:
1. Who should have won the Revolution and why?
2. What were the most significant events and battles that enabled the Americans to win?
3. Was Washington a great general?





for Thursday: Read pages 156-163. Consider the following questions as you read:
1. Why did the Americans win their independence?
2. What were the most significant events and battles that enabled the Americans to win?
3. Was the Peace of Paris a good treaty for the United States?  Why?

By Wednesday, know the significance of the following:
Thomas Paine;“Common Sense"; Battles of Lexington & Concord, 1775; Battle of Bunker Hill, 1775; Benedict Arnold; George Washington; Whigs; Tories; Continental Army; militias; Hessians; Henry Knox; Battle of New York, 1776 ; Battle of Trenton, 1776; Battle of Saratoga, 1777; Gen. Howe; Gen. Burgoyne; Gen. Cornwallis; Joseph Brant; Valley Forge; Friedrich von Stueben; George Rogers Clark; Marquis de Lafayette; Battle of Yorktown, 1781



for Monday: Read pages 166-176.  Consider the following questions as you read:
1. How did the revolution change society? Were the changes radical?

2. How did the revolution change the lives of African-Americans, women, and American Indians? Were these changes substantial or incremental?
3. In the new governments, what was kept of English traditions and what was new?
4.  What two groups or forces struggled over the form and direction of the new state governments?
5. How was the government under the Articles of Confederation different from our government under the Constitution?
6. What were the Articles of Confederation’s weaknesses?

Know the Significance of the following: Land Ordinance of 1785; Northwest Ordinance of 1787; Shays’s Rebellion


For Tuesday: Read pages 177-189. Consider the following questions as you read:
1. Why did the writers of the Constitution want a new form of government?

2. What role did Shay’s Rebellion play in this decision?
3. How was the new Constitution different from the Articles of Confederation?
4. What groups opposed the Constitution and what groups supported it?
5. Why did it gain ratification?

Know the significance of the following: Philadelphia Convention; James Madison; Virginia Plan; William Patterson; New Jersey Plan; Roger Sherman; Connecticut Compromise; bicameral legislature; separation of powers; federalism; Senate; House of Representatives; Supreme Court; 3/5 Compromise; democratic; republican; Federalists; Anti-Federalists; Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; The Federalist Papers