Discussion Questions IV

1. What were the Alien and Sedition Acts and what tension in the American political system do they reflect?

2. Who wrote the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions and what view of the American political system do the represent? What are they responding to?

3. In the 1960s when President Kennedy hosted a dinner for Nobel Laureates one commentator referred to it as the greatest collection of intellectual talent to dine at the White House since Thomas Jefferson dined alone. What is the basis for such a comment?

4. Jefferson, in the political discourse of the Washington and Adams administrations, set forth a clear and reasonably consistent view of the nature of the federal government. How do his actions as President conform to this view?

5. Discuss the facts of the case Marbury v. Madison and its significance in defining the American governmental process.

6. What did Jefferson have inscribed on his tombstone and what does this tell us about his personal values and those of his era?

7. Much has been made in this course about the personal values of Washington and their impact on the success of the Revolution and the development of American society and political culture subsequently. Can a similar argument be made for Jefferson?

8. What is the Revolution of 1800? In what sense is it a revolution?

9. How did the United States come to acquire Louisiana?

10. Who are Lewis and Clark and what is important about their journey?

11. What are the causes of the War of 1812?

12. What is significant about the Battle of Lake Erie? The Battle of New Orleans?

13. Why does Andrew Jackson emerge as a bigger popular hero than Oliver Hazard Perry after the War of 1812? What does this tell us about American society?

14. The War of 1812 has been referred to as "The Second American Revolution." What is meant by this and do you think it is correct? Why? 

Final Essay Question

 In 1763 Americans began a long debate about the nature of government and a somewhat shorter one about their relationship with the King of Great Britain. In 1780 and again in 1787 they established basic frameworks for governing themselves. Finally in 1815 they concluded a second treaty with Great Britain.

In an essay address the following questions. What are the principle issues in this debate and do they remain constant or do change as the debate unfolds? Is the political system that develops by 1815 consistent with the goals of those who began the debate in 1763? To what extent does it reflect the fifty-year debate over the nature of government and liberty that occurs during this period? At what point, if any, can the American revolution be said t be over? Can it be said to have succeeded or did it, like many revolutions, fall far short of its goals?