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Lesson Plans
The American People: Creating a Nation and a Society ©2001
by Gary B. Nash and Julie Roy Jeffrey John B. Howe, Peter J. Frederick, Allen F. Davis, Allan M. Winkler
Focus Lesson 5
Chapter 8: "Creating a Nation"
AP* Course Description
- Constitution and New Republic, 1776–1800
- Bill of Rights
- Washington's presidency
- Hamilton's financial program
- Foreign and domestic difficulties
- Beginnings of political parties
- John Adams' presidency
- Alien and Sedition Acts
- XYZ Affair
- Election of 1800
Key Components
- Instructor's Guide: pp. 42–44
- Study Guide, Vol. I to 1877: pp. 69–74
- Test Bank: pp. 120–136
Key Web Sites
Given the changing nature of the Internet, you may wish to preview these sites. Always check for updated links to U.S. history sites.
- The Papers of George Washington
- George Washington's Mount Vernon
- Independence National Historical Park
- Biography of John Adams
Key Words and Terms
- "Reports on Public Credit"
- Whiskey Rebellion
- Citizen Genêt
- Jay's Treaty
- XYZ Affair
- Alien and Sedition Acts
- James Madison
- Talleyrand
- federalism
- Revolution of 1800
- Bill of Rights
- "Report on Manufactures"
- Neutrality Proclamation
- Washington's Farewell Address
- Naturalization Act
- Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
- Aaron Burr
- John Marshall
- Democratic-Republican societies
Suggested Pacing
Allow one week to teach this chapter.
Test Strategy
You might want to remind students that approximately 50 percent of the multiple-choice questions on the AP* exam deal with the period between 1790 and 1914. It is also more than likely that one of the essays will deal with this period.
Key Concepts
Chapter 8 discusses the controversies surrounding the launching of the new government. Students should recognize that a major accomplishment of Washington's presidency was the stabilization of the new nation. After reading Chapter 8, students should be able to discuss how Washington dealt with the struggle for control of the national government during incidents such as the Whiskey Rebellion and why he selected such diverse men as Jefferson and Hamilton to serve in his cabinet.
The "accidental" development of political parties dates to the administration of Washington. Students should understand how this division along ideological lines began.
Another theme revolves around the question of what kind of economy will characterize the nation. The answer to that question is not simply an economic one but a political one as well. Working out that answer pitted the agrarian Republicans—or Democratic-Republicans—who followed Jefferson against the Federalists of John Adams. The two parties disagreed over issues of power, political equality, and the proper role of central government in a republican society.
Summing Up Student Understanding
To help students keep track of the rise and fall of political parties, have them start a list of parties, their dates, why each coalesced around an important personality or issue, why each declined, and important figures in each party. This information will help students understand the emergence of third parties and will also provide examples should they have to write an essay on political parties.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
You might also find these additional readings useful in developing students' background knowledge or for DBQ activities:
- American Issues: Vol. I to 1877, edited by Unger and Tomes—Chapter 7
- The Power of Words: Vol. I to 1877, edited by Breen—Chapter 8
- Constructing the American Past, Vol. I, edited by Gorn, Roberts, and Bilhartz—Chapter 6