Turn of the CenturyThe Constitution had been established, but the young United States still faced a multitude of challenges at home and abroad. Jefferson and Hamilton's ideological feud created an everlasting schism in American politics, and foreign affairs with Britain, France, and even pirates pulled America into dangerous waters. Political development in this early republic was extremely shaky, and both the American people and the politicians had to determine what direction and ideals would lead the future of America. This page will take us through the presidencies of Adams, Jefferson, and Madison, and will examine the differing perspectives on the United States and it's place in global affairs.
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Washington's FarewellAlthough he had to precedent by which American presidents were expected to behave and be responsible for, George Washington did an incredible job balancing different arguments and opinions, his presidential powers and state governments, and decided that two four-year terms was all that he needed as president. Now, we can look back at the impact of his presidency, as well as his final message for the American people where he both praised what they had fought for, and warned about what could be lost. |
Ideological Differences"After months of battling and compromises, the US Constitution was finally sent to Congress by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. Through the ratification process and the first decade under the new government, America was embroiled in heated arguments over exactly how the government would work and what powers it could really exercise. Political parties soon developed as groups argued about the direction of the country. Alexander Hamilton became a leading voice of the Federalists who believed that the federal government needed to be strong. On the other side, Thomas Jefferson, a Republican, argued that too much power in the hands of the federal government would lead to tyranny."
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Learning Through Music?There is a lot of debate these days on what the best way is for students to learn. One of the questions people are asking is whether or not students can learn from songs/music. Perhaps we can learn more about this process through looking at the recent Broadway sensation, Hamilton! This show has done an incredible job at telling a truly historically accurate account of the Federalist and Anti-federalist debate through a modern-musical lens. To learn more about this phenomenon, watch the video on Hamilton, and read about the studies on the link below:
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Turn of the Century Music Project
Choose from the selection of topics below, and begin filling out the Choose Your Topic assignment to explain why you picked the topic that you picked. Then, you will begin your research by filling out the Topic Research assignment using the links below and from your own research. Finally, you will be creating a song/poem/rap based on your topic, that must be at least 10 lines.
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The Election of 1800
One of the most contentious of moments in American history took place not long after the Revolution, and it came down to choosing the third President. The Federalists and Anti-federalists were at it again, this time Alexander Hamilton threatened to sabotage the Federalists from winning. After two ties took place, a winner was elected, but all signs showed a flawed election system that needed to be changed.
There is an overabundance of people and events that took place during this tumultuous time, and you can use this chart while reading and learning to better visualize what took place during the 1800 election. |
We Went to War Against Pirates?When Thomas Jefferson took office, he was met by opposition in the Atlantic Ocean; Pirates from North Africa had been attacking ships for decades, but now that the American ships were no longer protected by the British fleet, they were left open to new attacks. Read the link below to learn more about these often forgotten wars, and about how the United States felt the pressures to establish themselves as a naval power.
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The Louisiana Purchase
"With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States purchased approximately 828,000,000 square miles of territory from France, thereby doubling the size of the young republic. What was known as Louisiana Territory stretched from the Mississippi River in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west and from the Gulf of Mexico in the south to the Canadian border in the north. Part or all of 15 states were eventually created from the land deal, which is considered one of the most important achievements of Thomas Jefferson’s presidency."
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The War of 1812
"In the War of 1812, the United States took on the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain, in a conflict that would have an immense impact on the young country’s future. Causes of the war included British attempts to restrict U.S. trade, the Royal Navy’s impressment of American seamen and America’s desire to expand its territory. The United States suffered many costly defeats at the hands of British, Canadian and Native American troops over the course of the War of 1812, including the capture and burning of the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., in August 1814. Nonetheless, American troops were able to repulse British invasions in New York, Baltimore and New Orleans, boosting national confidence and fostering a new spirit of patriotism. The ratification of the Treaty of Ghent on February 17, 1815, ended the war but left many of the most contentious questions unresolved. Nonetheless, many in the United States celebrated the War of 1812 as a “second war of independence,” beginning an era of partisan agreement and national pride." -http://www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812
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Historical PerspectivesWho really started the War of 1812? Were the Americans and British justified for war? Read the two differing perspectives on the War of 1812, and then write a reflection comparing and contrasting these two views. What exactly makes these views so different? Are there similarities? Write your thoughts on how and why these two nations saw the War of 1812 in such contrasting ways. Later we will go over your thoughts on this topic, and will address some of these issues further in the Smithsonian Article as a class.
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Edpuzzle Assignment Watch the video and answer the questions that come up throughout it! |
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