Mosquitos and Revolts

       Napoleon Bonaparte had conquered almost all of Europe by 1801.  He began to turn his attention to the Western Hemisphere to establish an empire across the Atlantic.  France controlled the Louisiana Territory and the port city of New Orleans.  He sought to reclaim Haiti and use that as a launching point for his new empire. 

     History is not always neat and organized facts.  World changing events often occur because of things that we may not even seem to be significant at that time.  The defeat of the French army in Haiti could be possible if not for the mosquito.  French troops succumbed to yellow fever and malaria that spread in the tropical climate.  Unfamiliar with the disease, the French suffered heavy casualties.  They would never be able to retake Haiti and Napoleon would abandon his dreams of an overseas empire.

        Many Americans were concerned over French interest in the Louisiana Territory. Thomas Jefferson sent delegates to France to try and purchase the city of New Orleans.   The French minister informed the Americans that for $15 million they could purchase the entire Louisiana Territory.

        Things you should know

1. One reason why Napoleon was willing to sell Louisiana to the United States.

         2.  What personal dilemma did Jefferson face with the Louisiana Purchase?

         3. Why Napoleon wanted to control Haiti?

  4.  Why did Jefferson send Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Territory?

Quiz Tomorrow...

Thomas Jefferson

Many Historians refer to the election of 1800 as a crucial turning point in history.  Some go as far as calling it "The Revolution of 1800".  For the first time in American history one political party was voted out of office and replaced by another.  While other nations in the world had (and still have in some cases) experienced violence and bloodshed when governments changed hands, the transition of power in the United States was peaceful.

John Adams did not stay for the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson.  He missed Jefferson's speech that outlined the goals of the new President. In it, Jefferson outlined his goals for uniting the nation.  Many Federalists were concerned that with the Democratic-Republicans in power, they would try and get revenge on the Federalists for the policies that Adams had passed. 

Jefferson quickly put those fears to rest. He allowed some Federalists to keep their jobs in the government and even kept the National Bank that Hamilton had created.  In an effort to cut back on government spending, Jefferson cut military spending.  He reduced the size of both the army and the navy, saving the nation millions of dollars.

     Important Questions you should be able to answer.

1. Who became Jefferson's Sec. of State?

2. Who was the Sec. of Treasury under Thomas Jefferson?

3.  Why did Jefferson keep the National Bank?

4. What Federalist policies did Jefferson not keep?

Chance of Quiz on Friday 88%

H.W.

page 339, answer questions 1 and 2

Alien and Sedition Acts

When John Adams became President he sought to carry out the advice that Washington had given the nation.  Trying to maintain a healthy relationship with both Britain and France proved to be easier said than done.  France had begun to attack American ships heading towards Europe, seizing American cargo and killing American sailors.  

    Adams asked Thomas Jefferson to lead a diplomatic mission to solve the crisis between the two nations.  Jefferson would refuse the request, so Adams sent: Elbridge Gerry, John Marshall, and Timothy Pickerning to make a treaty with France.  If you recall, the three men were not successful in their mission.

   With emotions running high in the United States, President Adams would approve of two very controversial laws.  The Alien Act and the Sedition Act.  Both laws would barely pass, and were approved by the Federalist Senate and President.  The Federalists would claim that they sought to protect the nation at this time of national crisis.

                    On this notorious act we conclude Unit 1.  Beginning tomorrow we will start Unit II and see how the country continued to grow.  

H.W. tonight

Identification on page 339.  

John Adams

  Today in class we started the lesson on John Adams, the Second President of the United States.  This is the last portion of Unit I, and starting next Tuesday we will begin Unit II.

    We saw how Adams was a very complex man who had strengths and weaknesses. Some of his greatest strengths were also his greatest flaws, i.e. his stubbornness. Some Americans thought that he should assume the role as President because he was the V.P. and a qualified leader.  Others felt as though Thomas Jefferson should become the next President.  The election had the two former friends pitted against each other to get the most important job in the nation.

      When he assumed the power as President in 1796 it was under interesting circumstances.  Never before had the country had to choose from two different candidates.   The elections results showed the country was pretty evenly split between the two men. With some behind the scenes help from Alexander Hamilton, John Adams assumed the position as President of the United States.

The following are the BIG Picture questions that are important for the lesson

   Hopefully you will be able to explain the following:

1. What role did Alexander Hamilton play in the election of 1796?

2. What two political parties have formed in the U.S.?

3. What portion of the United States supported Jefferson? Who supported Adams?

4. How did this election show there was a problem with the election method?

If you can answer all of those, or three of the four, you are in great shape.  Questions to understand why Adams had such a tough time as President are a little different.  Try and answer these.

1. Why did Jefferson and Republicans believe that Adams was  more concerned about the Federalists?

2. How did the Federalist Party betray Adams?

3. How did John Adams attempt to avoid a war with France?

Farewell Address

Washington's Goodbye

Yesterday we talked about Jay's Treaty and the Whiskey Rebellion. Two major crisis that Washington faced during his second term. Jay's Treaty served a valuable lesson to the President in foriegn policy. The Whiskey Rebellion put both an emotional and physical strain on the President. After serving his country as President for 8 years, President Washington was asked to seek out a third term. Health worries and personal desires will all help George decide that he would not sek out another term in office.
Before Washington would leave the office he authored a Farewell Address to the American people. In it, he would offer advice, words of wisdom, and concern for his country. The document would set thw standard for American policy making into the next century.

You should be able to tell me the following:

~ Washington's advice on Foreign Policy

~ What his concerns were with political parties

~ What should the nation construct/ build to better society?


Tonight is the Third and Final Presidential Debate. Be sure to work on your Debate handout. It is due Friday.

Debate Part II

Today we had a pop quiz in class.  The questions came from the h.w. on page 315 and the notes on President Washington's foreign policy dilemma.  Hopefully you did not find it to be too much of a challenge.  

           Tonight is the second debate between McCain and Obama.  Your homework is to complete the handout that goes with the debate. The assignment is not due until Friday, but for those that complete it by Wednesday there will be some sort of extra credit for the effort.  I understand that many have commitments to sports teams and other classes.  So, If you can make it into school early on Wednesday, I will put the debate on the screen for you.  I think that it is pretty fair.

   

      Enjoy the debate tonight.  I may post some follow up questions on the blog later.

Vice Presidential Debate

Biden vs. Palin

Good job to all my classes yesterday when we were going over the debate review handout!

Between now and Monday you need to compete the debate assignment that you should have received on Thursday.  I will add some links to that will have debate clips for you in the Links section of the Blog.

Have a good weekend.

Foreign Policy Recap

October 2, 2008

The French Revolution forced President Washington to establish the nation's first American Foreign Policy.   While Britain and France waged war on the European continent, Washington's Cabinet debated what plan of action the nation should take.  America had signed a treaty with Britain establishing peace between the two countries, but was also allies with France.  Eventually the plan of action that Washington took was to have the country remain neutral.  His Neutrality Proclamation was issued in 1793 and became the foundation of American Foreign Policy.  

                      Goals for today

 Be able the list three of the following:

~ reasons for America to be allies with France

~ reasons for the U.S. to be allies with Britain

~ reasons for America to stay neutral

Tonight is the V.P Debate, unless you are 7th Period then you have some work to do. 

Before School Friday, or Monday see me if you need help with the assignment. 

Viva la France

Foreign Policy is how the United States has relationships with foreign countries.  Some nations we are allies with and will lend them money or aid. (Greece)  Other nations we have chosen not to trade with (Cuba). 

   Before we can discuss Washington's Foreign Policy, we learned about the global issues of that time.

The French Revolution impacted global policies for decades and engulfed the Continent of Europe in war until 1818.

Some Americans, such as _______________ were supportive of the Revolution.

While others, including _____________ wanted the British Empire to defeat the French.

For class you should be able to answer the following questions.

1. Why should Washington help the British?

2. Why should Washington help the French?

3. Why should the United States remain neutral?

More time will be spent on these questions tomorrow.

H.W. for tonight:  answer questions 1 and 2 on page 315.