After independence was declared, Americans were faced with creating a new form of government that would embody the ideals for which they had fought. |
Social Studies 4-4.4: Compare the roles and accomplishments of early leaders in the development of the new nation, including, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Marshall, and James Madison. |
Essential Question: What were the roles and accomplishments of early leaders in the development of the new nation?
Learning Tasks / Activities:
Ø The teacher will closely read the Interactive Essential Text with students. During this time it is important to discuss the essential question, define key vocabulary, code the text (political, geographic, economic, and social) to discuss the content and clarify any misconceptions. The teacher and student will interact with the text. The following tasks are to strengthen, to deepen, and to enhance the indicator content and connect to the key concept question. Ø Students will read closely the article “Profiles of Our Founding Fathers”. They will respond to one of the Founding Fathers text questions at each level in their notebook. Students will engage in an open discussion/debate regarding the final question. (DOK 1-3) Ø Students will view the Discovery Education video clip “Great Men of the Constitutional Convention” (3:46 long.). They will analyze the video using the video analysis sheet. (DOK 2-3) Pick 3 and Gist US Constitution, Bill of Rights, and a New Nation Think Like a Journalist Bill of Rights Photo Analysis Sheet Round Robin but Write US Constitution and Bill of Rights Video Analysis Sheet Bumper Sticker Diary Entry Text Questions and/or Debate Participation Video Analysis Sheet 4-4 United States Government Ø Students will read pages 6-9, 14-15, and 24-25 in the ABDO eBook Leaders of the American Revolution. Students will choose one of the three historical figures (Washington, Jefferson, or Adams) from the reading and write a bio-poem (Early Leader Bio Poem sheet) about that person. (DOK 2-3) Ø Students will read page 19 in the ABDO eBook The Bill of Rights about James Madison. Students will also refer to the previous reading of pages 14-15 in the ABDO eBook Leaders of the American Revolution. Students will complete the Early American Leaders Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Jefferson and Madison. (DOK 2-3) |
It is essential for students to know:
Specific leaders played significant roles in establishing the new government of the United States. Their accomplishments contributed to the development of the new nation. George Washington was elected as the first president of the United States after he had served as president of the Constitutional Convention and Commander of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War . As president, he established precedents that were followed by later presidents. For instance, he regularly consulted the Cabinet he created and only served for two terms. Because Washington was so widely respected during the Revolutionary War, he was trusted not to take too much power for the new national government. This trust laid a foundation for trust in the new nation. John Adams served in the Continental Congress and was chosen on the committee selected to draft a Declaration of Independence, along with Benjamin Franklin and together they persuaded Thomas Jefferson to write the document. After serving his country during the war as a foreign minister (diplomat) who (along with Franklin again) created negotiated alliances during the war and the Peace of Paris of 1783 Treaty at its end, Adams was abroad, serving as Minister to Great Britian at the time of the Constitutional Convention. However, he was elected as the first Vice President of the United States, and he served with George Washington. Later, he was elected as the second President of the United States. As an early leader of the Federalist Party, he advocated the establishment of a strong central government. Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, was Governor of Virginia during the American Revolution and abroad, serving as Minister to France at the time of the Constitutional Convention. His neighbor and friend, James Madison had studied this history of governments and discussed much with Jefferson prior to coming to Philadelphia for the convention. Washington named Jefferson his Secretary of State and therefore he served in Washington’s Cabinet until his resignation (over philosophical differences, with Hamilton and the Federalists, that eventually led to the formation of two political parties.) Jefferson became the leader of the Democratic-Republican Party (4-4.5). He became the third President of the United States and the first president from his political party. Alexander Hamilton had served with Washington during the war and was also a Founding Father (present at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia). Washington named him Secretary of Treasury and served in Washington’s Cabinet, disagreeing with Jefferson on most issues. Hamilton proposed a series of laws that improved the financial standing of the new nation and the compromise to insure their passage also led to the present-day situation of the new capital (Washington, DC) between Maryland and Virginia. He was the leader of the Federalist Party (4-4.5) and was a close adviser to President Washington, despite the fact that Washington strongly advised against having political parties. John Marshall was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by President Adams. Marshall strengthened the role of the Supreme Court in the federal government by asserting the right of the Supreme Court to review the laws and determine if they are constitutional. He was a Federalist, so he wanted to strengthen the federal government. James Madison was the major author of the Constitution. He served in the first US Congress and wrote the amendments that became the Bill of Rights. Madison was also a leader in the Democratic-Republican Party and was elected the fourth President of the United States. |