Federalist+Era+Essential+Questions

Choose 3 questions below, from 3 different groups. Write a response to the corresponding question on the Discussions page. Read the responses before yours and react to them as well.
 * Assignment: Essential Questions Federalist Era**

1. Why were political parties formed in the new nation and what were the major differences among political parties in the years 1791-1800? 2. Compare the ideas of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson as to the nature of the union and the course that U S policies should follow. Trace the development of political parties in the United States 1787-1800. 3. Each of the following individuals expressed strong opinions concerning the policies of the new nation. What opinions were expressed by two of the following? Of the two, whose opinions had the greatest impact of the new nation? George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Marshall. 4. Contrast the Hamiltonian Federalist belief that the "wealthy and well-educated" ought to run the government with the Jeffersonian Republican belief that the common person, if educated, could be trusted to manage public affairs. What are the political implications of each view? 5. Given how much the Founding Fathers disdained factions, why did the nation develop into 2 distinct parties by 1800? 6. Which political party was best for the nation in 1800?
 * Political Parties**

7. The Founding Fathers replaced the Articles of Confederation with the United Sates Constitution in the hopes that the new government would fix the problems allowed by the old. Did it? Discuss with respect to the economy, foreign affairs, and national unity. 8. Between 1783 and 1800 the new government of the United States faced the same political, economic, and constitutional issues that troubled the British government's relations with the colonies prior to the Revolution. Assess the validity of this generalization. 9. One of the reasons that the founding fathers replaced the Articles of Confederation with the U.S. Constitution was that under the AOC, the states had too much power. How successful was the Constitution in strengthening the power of the federal government while upholding republican principles, as evidenced by early presidents? 10. What evidence is there for the assertion that the basic principles of the Constitution were firmly grounded In the political and religious experiences of America's colonial and revolutionary periods? 11. “By 1801 the dangers of civil war and national disintegration had abated though they had not vanished.” Discuss the dangers the nation faced during the Federalist era (1789-1800) and how it overcame or survived them. Describe the conflict among the social, economic, and sectional interests groups; challenges from foreign nations; and threats to individual liberties and the Bill of Rights.
 * Const v. AOC**

12. Early United States foreign policy was primarily a defensive reaction to perceived or actual threats from Europe. Assess the validity, of this generalization with reference to United States foreign policy, on two major issues during the period from 1789 to 1800. 13. How was war with England and France avoided in the years 1793-1800? 14. "The achievements of diplomats are in the long run more decisive than generals." Assess the validity of this statement for the period 1785-1800. 15. "America's first foreign policy, formulated by presidents Washington and Adams, had as its primary goal the avoidance of war at all cost." Assess the validity of this statement in terms of THREE of the following: Citizen Genet controversy Jay Treaty Proclamation of Neutrality XYZ Affair 16. What events on the frontier had a major impact on national history in the years 1789-1800?
 * Foreign Policy**

17. "The Declaration of Independence issued a call for a democratic government of equal citizens that was rejected by the writers of the Constitution, who created an aristocratic government that benefited only the wealthy few." Assess the validity of this statement. 18. To what degree did the egalitarian spirit of the Revolution continue throughout the new nation? Discuss two of the following: class, race, gender
 * Egalitarianism**

19. Explain Hamilton's major economic programs and how they collectively promoted the economic growth of the United States. Which of Hamilton's proposals were enacted into law? 20. Compare the argument of Jefferson and Hamilton for and against the constitutionality of the Bank of the United States. 21. What did economic and financial programs of Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton include? What was Hamilton trying to accomplish? How and why did his programs politically divide Americans?Type in the content of your new page here.
 * Economy**