United States History
Take-Home Examination Three: The Early Republic
D Block - Mr. Novick
Please answer the following questions in our own words, using your textbook, our class discussions and notes, and films we have studied in class.
DUE DATE IS MONDAY, DECEMBER 6TH
Each question is worth 20 points, on the following scale:
Historical Accuracy/Thought Process: 5-10 Points Possible for Each Question—
10 pts = Demonstrates mastery of all material/concepts
9 pts = Demonstrates mastery of most material/concepts
8 pts = Demonstrates basic understanding of material/concepts
7 pts = Demonstrates some knowledge of the material/concepts
6 pt = Demonstrates little knowledge of the material/concepts
5 pts = Fails to demonstrate any knowledge of the material/concepts
Writing (organization, neatness, grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.): 5-10 Points Possible for Each Question—
10 pts = Excellent writing: clear, cohesive, and well-organized. No grammar, spelling, or punctuation mistakes.
9 pts = Very Good writing: clear, cohesive, and organized, but one or two minor problems with organization, clarity, grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
8 pts = Good writing: meaning is clear, but need to address more than two problems with clarity, organization, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
7 pts = Fair writing: some of the meaning is clear, and multiple problems with organization, neatness, grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
6 pt = Poor writing: meaning is unclear, and/or serious problems with organization, neatness, grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
5 pts = Writing is incoherent
1. In a two-three paragraph essay, describe the challenges George Washington faced as first President of the United States, including in your answer the following: Whiskey Rebellion; Washington’s foreign policy and the Jay Treaty; the first Cabinet; his decision to return home to Mount Vernon after two terms; and his advice to the nation upon his retirement from public life in 1796.
2. What were the key components of Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan for the new republic under the Constitution? What did Hamilton believe the plan would accomplish for America? Why was there opposition to his plan, and from whom? Finally, place yourself back in time, in President Washington’s first Cabinet OR in the first United States Congress: do you think YOU would have supported Hamilton’s plan? Why or why not? Two-three paragraphs.
3. America’s first political parties formed from different views of how to interpret the Constitution, different visions of the role of the federal government in the new nation’s economic affairs, and different opinions on whether England or France should be America’s primary European ally. Explain what these political parties were and how they formed during the early years of American life under the Constitution. Be specific. Then answer this question: which party do you believe you would adhere to back then, and why? Two-three paragraphs.
4. John Adams was America’s second President, elected in 1796 after President Washington retired to Mount Vernon. Describe John Adams’ Presidency, including in your answer his political affiliation (party), his primary foreign policy goal, the XYZ Affair, the Pinckney Treaty, and the Alien & Sedition Act Adams’ encouraged Congress to pass into law. What were these things, and why were they important? What motivated John Adams to push for the Alien & Sedition Act? What challenges did Adams face in taking on the Presidency? How did America respond to Adams’ first term as President? Knowing what you know about the circumstances of his Presidency, and speculating from that knowledge, what do you think went wrong? Two-three paragraphs.
5. Thomas Jefferson was America’s third President. In a three-paragraph essay, describe Jefferson’s political affiliation (party), beliefs about federal power and interpreting the Constitution, and foreign policy. Then explain the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. What was it? Why was it controversial? How did it seem to contradict Jefferson’s primary beliefs about government and Presidential power? Why was it significant to American history? Finally, describe the Lewis & Clark Expedition (the Corps of Discovery): what was it? Why did Jefferson launch this expedition? And what made it so unique among government-sponsored expeditions led by trained military personnel?
BONUS ESSAY: Worth 10 Points!
In a two-paragraph essay, describe the primary achievements of the first Congress of the United States. Once you tell, specifically, what the first Congress accomplished, be sure to explain briefly why each accomplishment is important to American history.
