History Chapter 6 Strengthening The New Nation This Covers The Accomplishments And Limitations

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CHAPTER 6

Strengthening the New Nation

This chapter covers the accomplishments and limitations of the Confederation government as well as the

need for and construction of the Constitution. The narrative profiles those groups not fully included in the

Constitution, including women and the enslaved. In discussing alternate visions of America, the chapter

traces the rise of political parties and sectional differences. It evaluates Washington’s presidency and the

CHAPTER OUTLINE

I. Power to the People

A. Forging a New Nation

II. The Confederation Government

A. A Loose Alliance of States

B. Robert Morris

C. Land Policy

D. The Northwest Ordinance

E. Diplomacy

F. Trade and the Economy

III. The “Gathering Crisis”

A. Shays’s Rebellion

IV. Creating the Constitution

A. The “Crisis Is Arrived”

E. The Three Branches of Government

i. The Legislature

ii. The Presidency

iii. The Judiciary

F. The Limits of the Constitution

i. Slavery

ii. The Absence of Women

E. Immigration and Naturalization

VII. Hamilton’s Vision of a Prosperous America

A. Hamilton’s Economic Reforms

B. Dealing with Debts

C. Sectional Differences

IX. Western Settlement

A. Land Policy

B. The Wilderness Road

X. Transfer of Power

A. Washington’s Farewell

B. The Election of 1796

LECTURE IDEAS

1. A lecture on the Confederation period will help the students better understand and analyze the

change to the new Constitution. Include in this lecture both successes and challenges the Confederation

2. Consider a lecture dedicated to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Take an in-depth look at the

personalities involved and investigate who these people were. Include the issues of regionalism and

economic status as well as a discussion on the political ideology of the Federalists and anti–

Federalists. See John P. Kaminski, Gaspare J. Saladino, et al. (eds.), The Documentary History of the

3. For a different angle on the developments of the 1780s, look at the activities of Thomas Jefferson, who

was out of the country much of that decade serving his country in France. A good lecture on

(1984) of Jefferson’s writing for his letters from that period. Finally, show some appropriate clips

4. The ultimate political discussion for your class is on the tension between Hamilton and Jefferson.

Divide the class into the Jeffersonians and the Hamiltonians. Let each side make its case and then segue

5. Write a lecture on the Whiskey Rebellion that will illuminate Hamilton’s financial and tax policies, the

6. A lecture on the election of 1800 can expose your students to how the U.S. political system and the

Constitution were put to the test early in the country’s existence. Not only was it the first election to be

IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES

1. Although it failed, do not consider the Confederation to have been unpopular. Some states like Virginia

supported the style of government brought about after the Revolution. Examine the government of the

2. Slavery can sometimes appear to be a forgotten element of the Constitution, but it did play a significant

role in the process of drafting the document. Evaluate the position of slavery relative to the Constitution.

3. George Washington led the new nation through its most treacherous years. Discuss the challenges met

4. In a short lecture, outline the history of Jay’s Treaty (1794). Ask your students to engage in a debate

over whether to accept the treaty and then vote on ratification. To reflect on their vote, the full class

should consider whether Washington was wise to stand by the ratification of the treaty despite its

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

2. Examine the process by which the Constitution was ratified.

4. Discuss the concept of compromise as it relates to the U.S. Constitution. Were the ideals put forth by

those who supported the new Constitution in any way jeopardized by this concept?

5. In 1913, historian Charles Beard argued that the Constitution was written to defend the economic

(and property) interests of the founding fathers. Consider the validity of his argument.

7. Hamilton argued that a National Bank was essential. Was it? Why was his proposal so controversial?

PRACTICING CITIZENSHIP

This chapter rightly describes Madison’s Number 10 as the most famous of the Federalist essays. Read it

to see how Madison defines both “democracy” and “republic” and why he does not favor democracy for

the United States. Consider whether anything has changed over the more than two centuries since this

was written to now make democracy (classically defined) more desirable or feasible. To further examine

this question, invite a group of friends and fellow students over to watch an episode of a currently

popular reality series—one in which viewers send in their votes at the end of the program. As soon as the

result is announced, reconvene with your friends to discuss the outcome and its implications in terms of