Main Themes 1. How and why the Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation. 2. How differing views of what the nation should become led to the rise of America's first political parties. 3. The way in which the new United States was able to establish itself as a nation in the eyes of foreign powers and of its own people. 4. The rise and fall of the Federalist Party.
| Learning Objectives A thorough study of Chapter Six should enable the student to understand: |
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The groups that advocated a stronger national government and how they, probably a minority, were able to achieve their objective. |
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The origin of the Constitutional Convention, who the delegates were, how well they represented the people, and how they were able to achieve a consensus. |
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The historical debate concerning the motives of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention. |
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Federalism and how the Constitution is designed to make it work. |
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The importance of The Federal Papers in the ratification struggle, and their significance in the years since. |
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The effectiveness of George Washington's solutions to the problems of the presidency, and how Washington, as its first occupant, affected the office and the nation. |
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The financial program of Alexander Hamilton, and its contribution to the success of the new government. |
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The ways in which the weak new nation coped with international problems, and the importance of such events as Washington's decision for neutrality and the "quasi-war" with France. |
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The emergence of political parties, their political philosophies, and their influence through the election of 1800. |