I.  The Heritage of the Revolution

Text 174 – 179 (1/2 2^nd column)

What advantages had been gained by independence?  What disadvantages were suffered?

II.  Creating a New National Government

Text 179 – 182 (all)

What were the major strengths and weaknesses of the Articles?  What were the governmental achievements of this period?  What ideas and ideals were put into practice during this “Experimental Period”?

      III.  Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation

Text 183-186 (1^st paragraph), Spirit 178-179 (Washington), 179-180 (Jefferson)

MODERATION

The text refers to the United States at this time as “The World’s Ugly Duckling”.  In what ways is this phrase accurate?  In what ways is it inaccurate?

IV.Drafting the Constitution

Text 186-195 (all)

What specific events led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention?

V-VI.  The Constitution of the United States

Text 197; Spirit 184-186 (Hamilton), 186-187 (Mason), 187-188 (Jefferson)

            What are the basic differences between the Articles and the new Constitution?  Why did the Constitution limit the power of the federal government?  According to John Adams, the “Constitution was extorted for a reluctant people by a grinding necessity”.  Explain the meanings of the underlined words.

VII The Founding Fathers

Richard Hofstadter, The American Political Tradition and the Men Who Made It (hereafter cited as APT),chapter 1 (in-class)

What is Hofstadter’s interpretation of the basic motives and guiding principles of the men who drew up the Constitution?

UNIT IV - LAUNCHING THE NEW GOVERNMENT

I.                   The First Administration

Text 199 – 205

How did the administration use each of its measures to attempt to solve a pressing problem of national importance?  Taken together, did they constitute a political program designed to unite the new country?

II.                The Rise of Political Parties

Text 205-206; Spirit 206-211, 211-213, 213-214 (Hamilton v Jefferson)

MODERATION

What caused a party system to evolve in America?  How closely did the Federalists and Jeffersonians resemble modern parties?  Did Hamilton’s and Jefferson’s differences over funding the debt reveal any basic disagreements over philosophy of government?

III.             Foreign Affairs of the New Nation

Text 206-207; 210-213 (middle of 2^nd column)

What were the key problems of American diplomats during this period?  All things considered, were the Americans successful in dealing with foreign powers at this time? 

IV.             John Adams as President

Text 213-219; Spirit 226-227 (Pickering), 227-228 (Madison)

Are the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions reasonable responses to perceived abuse by the national government?  What other topic will be argued in the future using this precedent?

V.                The Revolution of 1800

Text 219-221; 224-226 (all), 228, Spirit 231-232 ( Federalist newspaper excerpts)

What was revolutionary about the Revolution of 1800?