Forging the Republic

Forging the Republic

US History I – 9-12

The post-Revolution years in the United States were rife with turmoil. The failure of the Articles of Confederation to establish a functioning democracy paved the way for the nation’s leaders to construct a new constitution and a new republic. The republic would require much work to maintain, and the early administrations would set precedents that would have lasting repercussions on the nation. The decisions of those first presidents resulted in the exposure of a myriad of problems with the new government – problems that would foretell a great divide among the Americans. This unit is an examination of the issues of the early presidencies, the domestic and foreign policy decisions made by those in charge, and the causes and effects of war with Great Britain.

Prior to this unit students will have completed units of study from Colonial America through, most recently, an in depth examination of the U.S. Constitution. Students will have knowledge of the founding principles and the functions of the branches of government.

Stage 1 Desired Results
ESTABLISHED GOALS G
USI.22 Summarize the major policies and political developments that took place during the presidencies of George Washington (1789-1797), John Adams (1797-1801), and Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809). (H, C)
·  the origins of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties in the 1790s
·  the conflicting ideas of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton
·  the Alien and Sedition Acts
·  the Louisiana Purchase
USI.23 Analyze the rising levels of political participation and the expansion of suffrage in antebellum America. (C, H)
USI.26 Describe the causes, course, and consequences of America’s westward expansion and its growing diplomatic assertiveness.
·  the War of 1812
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.2 Determine the central ideas of primary or secondary sources
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.3 Determine whether events in a text caused later ones or simply preceded them
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of the early Republic
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.5 Analyze how a text uses structure to emphasize key points or advance an explanation or analysis
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.8 Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author’s claims
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.9 Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.10 By the end of grade 9 read and comprehend history texts in the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently / Transfer
Students will be able to independently use their learning to…
·  Analyze and resolve conflicts in order to work and live cooperatively with others
·  Apply knowledge of political and social systems to participate actively as an informed citizen of a democracy
Meaning
UNDERSTANDINGS
U1 – Leaders often have conflicting ideas on how to achieve a common goal
U2 – Political parties cause conflict and controversy
U3 – Foreign policy is derived from reactions to activities of other nations
U4 – There is an ongoing debate over the limits of government power / ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Q1 – How are decisions made when people in charge disagree?
Q2 – Do political parties help or harm the nation?
Q3 – When should the United States become involved in the affairs of other countries?
Q4 - What is the role of the federal government in domestic affairs?
Acquisition
Students will know…
Content vocabulary, such as: cabinet, Congressional Act, strict and loose construction political party, Neutral, sectionalism, nullification, amendment, impressment, war hawk
Academic vocabulary, such as: Analysis, context, precedent, summarize, assess, evaluate, predict, negotiate, persuade, examine
George Washington was seen as a unifying choice for president (U1)
Washington helped to establish the executive branch (U4)
The Whiskey Rebellion asserted the role of the federal government (U4)
Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan (U1)
The differences between Democratic-Republicans and Federalists (U2, Q1)
The difference between loose and strict constructionalism (U1)
Events in the early years of the presidency shaped the role of the nation in a global community (U3)
The Election of 1800 tested the electoral process and forced national leaders to amend the Constitution (U1)
Thomas Jefferson’s purchase of the Louisiana Territory had major implications for the future of the country (U4)
Violations of American neutrality committed by the British (U3)
Key battles and events of the War of 1812 (Q3)
The role of Tecumseh and the First Nations during the War of 1812 (U3) / Students will be skilled at…
Analyzing primary source documents, including Washington’s Farewell Address and Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address (U1)
Evaluating the power of the federal government (Q4)
Predicting the challenges that faced the new government and the response of the nation’s early leaders (Q1)
Analyzing the role of the cabinet in the executive department (Q3)
Evaluating Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan (Q1)
Analyzing the impact of the XYZ Affair and Alien and Sedition Acts on the Adams Administration (U3)
Comparing the roles of political parties in the early Republic to today (U2)
Predicting the effect of the Louisiana Purchase on American policies of expansion (Q4)
Interpreting maps and examining the role of geography in the early republic (Q4)
Examining the causes and effects of the War of 1812 (Q3)
Assessing the costs of war on Native Americans (U3)
Stage 2 - Evidence
Evaluative Criteria / Assessment Evidence
Explanation
Interpretation
Application
Perspective
Empathy
Self-Knowledge
Social studies specific, technology / TRANSFER TASK(S):
Curriculum Embedded Performance Assessment
The War of 1812 is often described as America’s “forgotten” war. The American Museum of History is working to change that description, and needs your help. The museum is creating an exhibit on the war and your job is to create a pamphlet for the exhibit that will attract new visitors and old museum members.
Goal – Create a visually appealing, historically accurate museum pamphlet that explains how the War of 1812 was the culminating event of the early republic.
Role – You are a historian commissioned by the American Museum of History to help educate the public, and possibly improve museum attendance.
Audience – Museum-goers
Situation – The museum is creating an exhibit on the role of the War of 1812 in the early republic.
Product Performance and Purpose – Your pamphlet must be visually appealing and historically accurate. You must incorporate the ideals of the early presidents and the actions taken by the first administrations that contributed to the causes of the war.
Standards and Criteria for Success – A successful pamphlet will explain the trials of the early republic and will show how the War of 1812 was the culminating event of this turbulent period. The pamphlet should take a stance on whether this war was inevitable, or if it could have been avoided. This stance should be based on the evidence from their prior knowledge of the early republic.
OTHER EVIDENCE:
KWL Chart – George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison
Political cartoon dialogue – National bank
Election of 1800 Event Map
Political Parties – DBQ
Reflection on American expansion into Native American territory
War of 1812 Winners and Losers chart
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Summary of Key Learning Events and Instruction
Lesson 1 – Introduction
Lesson 2 – The presidency of George Washington
Lesson 3 – The presidency of John Adams
Lesson 4 – The presidency of Thomas Jefferson
Lesson 5 – The presidency of James Madison
Lesson 6 – The War of 1812
Lesson 7 - CEPA
Lesson 1 – Introduction
- Activate prior knowledge of the electoral process
- Examine the electoral college and importance of party politics
Lesson 2 – The presidency of George Washington
Domestic Precedent
- Examine the organization of the new government, including Washington’s cabinet
- Evaluate Hamilton’s economic plan for settling national debt and creating the national bank
- Assess the impact of the Whiskey rebellion on the powers of the presidency
Foreign Precedent
- Evaluate Washington’s position of neutrality and the relationships with European powers
- Determine the factors that caused conflicts in the northwest territory
- Compare and contrast the political views of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson
Lesson 3 – The presidency of John Adams
- Analyze the impact of the problems with France (XYZ Affair, Quasi-War) on the Adams Presidency
- Determine the causes and effects of Adams’ decision to remain neutral
- Appraise the Alien and Sedition Acts and examine the effectiveness of the VA/KY Resolutions
Lesson 4 – The presidency of Thomas Jefferson
- Analyze the importance of the Election of 1800, including comparing Washington’s farewell address to Jefferson’s inaugural address
- Apply Jefferson’s decision to shrink the size of the federal government to today
- Compare and contrast Jefferson’s strict interpretation of the Constitution with the Louisiana Purchase
- Examine the impact of foreign interference with trade
Lesson 5 – The presidency of James Madison
- Classify the failure of Madison to work with Great Britain
- Analyze the expansionist desires of American politicians
- Examine causes for fighting with Native Americans (Tecumseh perspective)
- Assess the perspective of War Hawks (Impressment, interference with trade, problems with expansion/Native Americans)
Lesson 6 – The War of 1812
- Describe the importance of an inexperienced military and how it led to a series of defeats by Britain (Atlantic blockade, British-Native alliance, burning of D.C.)
- Evaluate the growth and importance of sectionalism and the arguments for secession
- Discern the importance of the Chesapeake Campaign (Star Spangled Banner) and the Battle of New Orleans (Andrew Jackson)
- Analyze the conclusions offered through the Treaty of Ghent (no clear winner, problems that caused war not addressed)
- Evaluate the effect of the war on Native Americans
Lesson 7 – CEPA
- Examine the ideals of the first four presidents to determine the ideals of the early republic
- Determine the role of the War of 1812 in the context of the early republic