The Early Republic

Complete Unit Guide Packet

Overview
The ratification of the Constitution and election of George Washington as America’s first president finally settled the
turbulent times of the Revolution and Articles of Confederation. However, other troubles for the new Republic lay
ahead. In the summer of 1794, farmers in Pennsylvania led a protest known as the Whiskey Rebellion that
Washington himself went to put down.

A divide in Washington’s Cabinet led to the development of America’s first political parties: Federalists and
Democratic-Republicans. Washington warned against this development along with America getting entangled in
foreign affairs in his famous Farewell Address. His Vice President John Adams succeeded him as America’s
second president and saw several crises. Most notable was the XYZ Affair and resulting Quasi-War with France. The
resulting unrest led Adams to sign 4 bills known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. These controversial laws made it
harder for an immigrant to become a citizen, allowed
the president to imprison non-citizens who were
deemed dangerous, and criminalized making false
statements that were critical of the government.

Adams was defeated by Jefferson in the Election of

1800. Jefferson called it a “Second Revolution” as it
saw the peaceful transfer of power to his
Democratic-Republican Party. Jefferson oversaw the
expansion of the United States with the Louisiana
Purchase and began a “Virginia Dynasty” that held the
presidency from 1801 to 1825. After Jefferson’s two
terms as president, he was followed by two other
two-term Democratic-Republicans from Virginia, James
Madison and James Monroe. While Madison saw
America go back to war with England in the War of 1812, Monroe led America into a peaceful time known as the
“Era of Good Feelings”.

Essential Questions
a)​ How have George Washington’s core beliefs as expressed in his Farewell Address continued to guide the
nation?
​ They continued the guide the nation by trying to maintain neutrality when possible, to prevent unneeded
intervention.
b)​ What were the issues that led to the development of political parties?
Issues regarding Federal Power, allies, and how the Constitution should be interpreted led to the
development of political parties.
c)​ Are political parties good for our nation?
I believe they are somewhat good to an extend, but if used too much, they can create too much unnecessary
conflict in America.
d)​ Is the suppression of public opinion during times of crisis ever justified?
No, it was not justified.
 e)​ What was the impact of John Marshall’s precedent-setting Supreme Court decisions?
If introduced the idea of Judicial Review and that the Supreme court can rule against itself.
f)​ How did America’s territorial expansion impact American Indians?
It impacted them by they lost a lot of their land to the White Settlers and they then became hostile.
g)​ What were the political results of territorial expansion?
It created less countries with Colonies in North America.
h)​ What political and economic changes occurred during this period?
Some changes that occured during this time were that the US Gained a lot more land and the US was
exporting more to other countries, increasing revenue.
i)​ What were the causes and results of the War of 1812?
The British were seizing American Ships and the Natives were recieving support from the British to attack the
Americans caused more conflict with the British.
j)​ Was the Monroe Doctrine a policy of self-defense or of expansion?
It was a policy of self-defense

Vocabulary
Directions: Write a definition in your own words in the column next to each vocabulary term.

The Cabinet The Group of people that lead the Departments and advise the president.

A Rebellion that was caused when the Excise tax was introduced. A group of
people (mostly farmers) rebelled because of this and Washington sent an
Whiskey Rebellion entire army of people to shut down the rebellion. He also sent a large volume
of people to make a statement and show that the government isn’t weak
anymore.

A group of people who believed in a strong central government. Notable

Federalists
leaders are Hamilton, and John Jay

A group of people who believe in a weaker government and that more rights
Democratic
should be kept by the states and the people. Notable leaders are Thomas
Republicans Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.

It was where American Delegates were supposed to be meeting with the

French Foreign minister, but instead a bunch of nobodies was sent (X, Y, and
XYZ Affair
Z) and they demanded 250,000 as a bribe in order for the American delegates
to see and negotiate with the French Foreign Minister.
 The Alien Act was introduced by John Adams allowing him to deport any
immigrant who he deemed dangerous. He created this act because he was
Alien & Sedition Acts
paranoid about French Spies. The Sedition acts made it illegal for anyone to
criticize the government, going against the 1st Amendment.

The Louisiana Purchase was a very big plot of land that the US purchased
Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon for a very cheap price. Napoleon really wanted to sell the
money to repay the tremendous debt France had after the Napoleonic Wars.

A US Document that stated that European Countries can not colonize the
Monroe Doctrine
Americas.

Geography of Early America

Directions: Use the map below to answer the questions in complete sentences.
 How did the Louisiana Purchase affect the US? What was the purpose of Lewis & Clark’s
exploration of the “Unclaimed Territory” in the
northwest?
It affected the US by more than doubling its size of it. It
gave more land so that people can settle in the west. It The purpose of Lewis and Clark’s Exploration of the
also in a way, made relations with certain tribes worse Unclaimed territory was to map out the newly bought
since their land was taken from them. land, to see what is there, to see the terrain and also to
see what new kinds of wildlife they can find.

How did the growth of the US during this period How did East Florida come into the US from Spain?
affect the US politically?
After some boundary disputes with Florida, John
The purchase more than doubled the size of the US Quincy Adams, the Secretary of State, began to
and greatly strengthened the country materially and negotiate so that the US can own Florida. Finally, after
strategically. Since they had done such a huge deal years of negotiations, Florida was finally a part of the
with France, it helped to avoid war with them. It also US with the Florida Purchase Treaty.
promoted westward expansion.

People to Know
Directions: Use the bank of names below to identify the appropriate category for each person. For each person,
identify the significant contributions that person made to the American Revolution.

John Adams Lewis & Clark John Marshall

Eli Whitney Sacagawea John Jay
Thomas Jefferson James Madison

Name: John Adams Name: Thomas Jefferson Name: James Madison

Term: 1796-1800 Term: 1800-1808 Term: 1808-1816
Contributions: Contributions: Contributions:

●​ Served in the ●​ He helped to stabilize the ●​ He is known as the Father

Masacusetts US Economy. of the Constitution.
Assembly ●​ Helped to defeat pirates ●​ He helped to write the
●​ Adams was the one from North Africa during Federalist Papers.
Presidents to nominate his presidency. ●​ He represented Virginia at
Washington as the ●​ He also doubled the size the Constitutional
Commander of the of the US by successfully Convention.
Continental Army. brokering the Louisiana ●​ He expressed his ideas of
Purchase. creating a 3-Part Federal
●​ He wrote the first draft of Government.
the Declaration of ●​ He Campaigned for the
Independence Embargo Act of 1807
●​ He was the first secretary
of state.
 Name: Eli Whitney Name: John Marshall Name: Sacagawea
Contributions: Contributions: Contributions:

●​ He Invented the ●​ He helped to establish the ●​ Was the only woman on

Cotton Gin which Supreme Court’s role in the Lewis and Clark
streamlined the the Federal Government Expedition.
process of ●​ He helped to improve ●​ She worked as a
extracting fiber from relations with France after Shoshone Interpreter
cotton seeds. the XYZ Affair. during the Expedition
●​ Whitney helped with ●​ One of Marshall's first ●​ She helped the group to
creating thousands landmark cases was find edible plants
of muskets for a Marbury v. Madison, ●​ She also helped to keep
potential war with which established the peace since a group of
France. basis of judicial review. men with a woman and a
●​ He proudly served on the child seemed less
Supreme Court until his suspicious than just a
death in 1835. group of men alone.
Men &
Name: John Jay Name: Lewis & Clark Name:
Women
of the Contributions: Contributions: Contributions:
Early Lewis
Republic ●​ He was the first ●​ Helped the quell the
Chief Justice of the Whiskey Rebellion
Supreme Court. ●​ Before the Expedition, he
●​ Helped to create was Thomas Jefferson’s
support for the private secretary.
●​ He lead an expedition to
Federalists by
explore and map out the
helping to write the land that was bought in the
Federalist Papers. Louisiana Purchase
●​ He joined Benjamin Clark
Franklin in Paris to ●​ Lewis invited him to help
help negotiate a lead the expedition to
treaty to end the explore the West
Revolutionary War ●​ Helped to lead the
expedition through rough
terrain and hostile weather
●​ Clark cared for the children
of Sacagawea after she
died.

Timeline of the Early Republic

Directions: Research each event, place the date in the 2nd column, then describe its significance.

Event Date Significance

John Adams Elected President 1796 The first election in American history where
political candidates at the local, state, and
national level began to run for office as
members of political parties with strong
opposed principles.

US Capital Moved to Washington DC 1801 The capitol was moved from New York to
Washington DC. Hamilton suggested that the
economic power should be in the hands of the
bankers, financiers, and merchants who earlier
dominanted in the urban northeast, but the
economic power was in the hands of the
southerly and agricultural region away from
the economic higher class society.

Marbury v. Madison Decision 1803 Important Landmark court case because it talks
about the idea of Judicial Review and how the
Supreme Court and rule against itself.

Burr-Hamilton Duel July 11, 1804 This was a Duel between Alexander Hamilton
and Aaron Burr which lead to Hamilton dying
because of his wounds. Burr’s political career
was hurt as well.

Louisiana Purchase 1803 A large piece of land that Jefferson bought from
Napoleon for a very cheap price, which
Napoleon was hoping to sell quickly to get rid
of some of the debt that was created because
of the Napoleonic Wars.

Lewis & Clark Expedition Begins 1805 To explore the land in the Louisiana purchase,
Jefferson chose Merriwether Lewis, his private
secretary, to lead a group of people to map out
and explore the west. Lewis chose Clark to
help lead the expedition.

The War of 1812 1812 Impressment, Embargo Act of 1807

Battle of New Orleans Jan. 1815 Word of the Treaty has not yet reached New
Orleans. In Jan. 1815, Gen. Andrew Jackson
decisively defeats the invading British.

McCulloch v. Maryland Decision March 6, 1819 US ruled that Congress had the authority to
establish a federal bank, and that the financial
insitution could not be taxed by the states.
 Key Concepts
Directions: For each section, either takes notes on the topics or answer the questions in complete sentences.

George Washington asked James Madison and Alexander Hamilton to “The alternate domination of one faction
help him write a Farewell Address, which was published when he over another, sharpened by the spirit of
retired at the end of his second term. revenge, natural to party dissension, which
in different ages and countries has
perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is
What does Washington warn against here? itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at
length to a more formal and permanent
Washington warns that having political parties will create more conflict in despotism. The disorders and miseries,
America and that they will create deep divides in American Societies. which result, gradually incline the minds of
men to seek security in the absolute power
of an individual; and sooner or later the
chief of some prevailing faction, more able
or more fortunate than his competitors,
Do you agree or disagree with Washington’s view of political parties turns this disposition to the purposes of his
(factions)? Why/why not? own elevation, on the ruins of Public
Liberty.”
I do agree with Washington’s view since even today, so many conflicted ― George Washington,
occur because of these parties. Riots occur as well and our society is Farewell Address (1796)
divided.

What were the results of the Election of 1800? The Election of 1800
Party Democratic-Republican Federalist
Thomas Jefferson won the election. Nominee Thomas Jefferson John Adams
Home state Virginia Massachusetts
Charles C.
What was significant about this election? Running mate Aaron Burr
Pinckney
It was the first peaceful transition of political power Electoral vote 73 65
between opposing parties in US History. States carried 9 7
Popular vote 41,330 25,952

Percentage 61.4% 38.6%

 When John Adams was at the Contitnental Congress in What do you think Abigail Adams meant by “remember
1776, his wife and future First Lady Abigail Adams wrote the ladies”?
him this letter.
She means that John Adams should remember the
“I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, ladies during his presidency by giving more rights to
by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be Women and prevent more discrimination against them
necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the
ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than
your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the
hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants
if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the What does she say that women might do if “care and
ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not attention is not paid”? The Women would come together
hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice
and form a rebellion if their desires were not met.
or representation.”
― Abigail Adams (1776)

“[We do] not wish to invite hordes of The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 included new powers to
wild Irishmen, nor the turbulent and deport foreigners as well as making it harder for new immigrants to
disorderly of all parts of the world, to vote. Non-English ethnic groups had been among the core
come here with a view to disturb our
supporters of the Democratic-Republicans in 1796.
tranquility…”
“If some means are not adopted to
Based on this quote, what was one reason for the Alien & Sedition
prevent the indiscriminate admission Acts?
of wild Irishmen & others to the right of
suffrage, there will soon be an end to
liberty & property.” One reason for the Alien and Sedition Acts were to prevent too
many Irish immigrants from coming into the United States.
-​ Harrison Gray Otis,
Federalist Congressman
from Boston

America’s First Political Parties

A divide in Washington’s cabinet led resulted in two national parties competing for control of the presidency,
Congress, and the states. They were the Federalist Party, created largely by Alexander Hamilton, and the rival
Jeffersonian Democratic-Republican Party, formed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Take notes on the
people, policies, and characteristics of the two parties in the spaces below:

Federalists Democratic-Republicans

Federalists wanted a central more Democratic-Republicans wanted a weaker

powerful government government and wanted the states and the
Federalists wanted Britain to be an ally. people to have more power
(Pro British) They wanted France to be an Ally.
Wanted a Loose Interpretation of the Constitution (Pro French)
Wanted the Bill of Rights
Wanted a strict interpretation of the Constitution
The Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the
“It is emphatically the
principle of judicial review—the power of the federal courts to declare
province and duty of the
legislative and executive acts unconstitutional.
Judicial Department to
How can a law be declared unconstitutional? say what the law is.”

The Supreme Court can declare a Law Unconstitutional if it contradicts with – Chief Justice John
the US Constitutions and takes away certain rights from the people. Marshall (From the
Marbury Decision, 1803)

“O! say can you see by the dawn's early light / What event was Francis Scott Key describing in this
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last poem?
gleaming / Whose broad stripes and bright He was describing the American Flag being hoisted up
stars through the perilous fight / O'er the when the British attacked Fort McHenry.
ramparts we watched, were so gallantly
streaming? / And the rockets’ red glare, the
bombs bursting in air / Gave proof through the Why do you think this became the US National Anthem?
night that our flag was still there.” I think this became the US National Anthem because it
― “Defence of Fort M’Henry” ​ symbolized American Pride and perserverance
by Francis Scott Key (1814)
 Visual Literacy
Directions: Use the included images and captions to answer each of the questions.

The Corps of Discovery meet Chinook men and

women on the Lower Columbia in the Pacific
Northwest in October 1805.

Based on the painting, how did Sacagawea help

the Corps of Discovery?

She helped by helping to navigate the rivers and

by translating what other tribes were saying.

What dangers did Lewis & Clark and Corps of

Discovery face on their journey to the Pacific?

They faced interactions with hostile tribes, rough

terrain, and poisonous animals.

In the 1790’s, Barbary pirates regularly

demanded tribute from American merchant
ships. If they failed to pay, the pirates
would attack the ship, take their goods,
and hold crew members ransom. When
Thomas Jefferson became President in
1801, he refused to pay tribute and sent a
naval fleet

What was the result of the Barbary Wars?

It established the US as a Global Power

and a naval force.
On July 11, 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr and
former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton,
fought a duel at Weehawken, NJ.
What was the impact of the Hamilton-Burr duel?

Hamilton died 36 hours after the duel due to his

wounds and instead of Burr’s political career being
revived, the duel helped to end it.

This 1812 engraving shows a British

officer paying American Indians to
scalp and American soldier. The
caption at the top reads: “A Scene on
the Frontiers as Practiced by the
Humane British and Their Worthy
Allies!”

Based on this image, what was one of

the causes of the War of 1812?

One of the causes of the War of 1812

was that Native American tribes were
attacking the Americans with support
from the British.

The White House ruins after the burning of

Washington, D.C. in the War of 1812.

Why did the redcoats set fire to Washington

DC?

They set fire to Washington D.C. since it

was an important symbol for America, and to
make a statement. It was also very important
to Government Officials as that was where
they worked.
The Monroe Doctrine was a United States policy
of opposing European colonialism in the Americas
beginning in 1823. President Monroe first stated
the doctrine during his 7th State of the Union.

Why was the Monroe Doctrine issued?

The Monroe Doctrine was issued to prevent more

European countries from colonizing the Americas.

What was the purpose of the Monroe Doctrine?

The purpose of the doctrine was to prevent further

colonization of the Americas so that the US can
expand and fulfill “Manifest Destiny”.