Essential Question: How did the Federalists and Republicans differ in their visions for the United States?
Some helpful sites:
Introduction:
The illustration to the left shows four leaders in the first government formed under the Constitution. On the far right stands former Continental army general George Washington, who had been lured out of retirement to serve as the nation’s first president. Seldom has a leader seemed more reluctant to take power. “My movements to the chair of government,” he wrote on leaving home, “will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit [criminal] who is going to the place of his execution.”
Henry Knox sits opposite Washington. During the American Revolution, this Boston bookseller became a general and Washington’s close friend and adviser. When Washington became president in 1789, he made Knox his secretary of war.
Alexander Hamilton served as Washington’s secretary of the treasury. Thomas Jefferson served as secretary of state. It was his job to manage relations between the United States and other countries.
Washington chose Hamilton and Jefferson for these positions because of all they had in common. Both were strong patriots. Both had served their country during the war—Hamilton in the Continental army and Jefferson in the Continental Congress. Both had brilliant minds.
But for all they had in common, the two men were opposites in many ways. Hamilton dressed with great care. Jefferson was sloppy with clothes. Hamilton moved with precision. Jefferson slouched. Hamilton was a doer who moved briskly from task to task. Jefferson was a thinker who took time to explore ideas.
As you will discover, Hamilton and Jefferson soon became political rivals. Their rivalry eventually gave rise to the nation’s first political parties, which had different visions for the new nation.
Henry Knox sits opposite Washington. During the American Revolution, this Boston bookseller became a general and Washington’s close friend and adviser. When Washington became president in 1789, he made Knox his secretary of war.
Alexander Hamilton served as Washington’s secretary of the treasury. Thomas Jefferson served as secretary of state. It was his job to manage relations between the United States and other countries.
Washington chose Hamilton and Jefferson for these positions because of all they had in common. Both were strong patriots. Both had served their country during the war—Hamilton in the Continental army and Jefferson in the Continental Congress. Both had brilliant minds.
But for all they had in common, the two men were opposites in many ways. Hamilton dressed with great care. Jefferson was sloppy with clothes. Hamilton moved with precision. Jefferson slouched. Hamilton was a doer who moved briskly from task to task. Jefferson was a thinker who took time to explore ideas.
As you will discover, Hamilton and Jefferson soon became political rivals. Their rivalry eventually gave rise to the nation’s first political parties, which had different visions for the new nation.
Your Quest:
You will be given one day to research the essential question. Find websites that contain information that will help you answer your essential question. Remember to document where you find your information, and bookmark websites that contain relevant information. The student who collects the most relevant information will earn 1 point that can be added to an assignment in social studies (ie. an assignment that earns a 3 becomes a 4). All notes must be hand written. You may not copy and paste any of your notes. Students who find relevant videos need to submit them through e-mail. Good Luck, and May the Force Be With You...Always!
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