Summer Reading for Advanced Honors US History I

 

Advanced Honors US History I

Summer 2009 assignment: Founding Brothers

 

After reading Founding Brothers, answer the following questions in a succinct manner. When answering the questions, keep in mind that your answers should not simply regurgitate passages from the chapter. Instead, you should concisely summarize or capture the main points of the chapter in your own words. Do not throw all the information you think is relevant into your answer, but critically think about what the question is specifically asking you.

 

At the end of the answer, you must provide a page reference in parenthesis; ie (pg 113-115). Your answers should be in Times New Roman, 12 font, single space. Your answers should be in paragraph format with its own clear internal logic.

 

Under each chapter are listed terms that you should familiarize yourself with before you read the chapter in order to understand the concepts better.

 

Preface: The Generation

 

Glossary:         Articles of Confederation

                        Constitutional Convention

 

  1. What “paradox” had to be overcome for the Revolution to survive?
  2. Cite three compromises that were critical to American “nationhood.”
  3. List four reasons why this particular group of men was able to accomplish a lasting Revolution according to Ellis.
  4. What can you infer about the study of history from Ellis’s focus on this particular group of people? 

 

Chapter One: The Duel

 

  1. Why do you think Ellis includes the Hamilton-Burr duel in his book?  In other words, what is so significant about this event?  Why does he place it first? 
  2. What political conflicts that marked the founding of our nation also fueled the animosity between the two men?

 

Chapter Two:  The Dinner

 

Glossary:         Federalists

                        Anti-federalists

                        Federalist Papers (Federalist Paper #10)

                        Hamilton’s economic plan, “assumption”

 

  1. Summarize the key ideological differences among the revolutionary generation that eventually led to two parties: the Federalists and the southern-based Anti-federalists.
  2. What critical issues or conflicts were side-stepped in order that the nation could be unified under a constitution? 
  3. Describe the significance of the location of America’s capital.
  4. Why did Virginia carry so much significance in the emerging nation?

 

Chapter Three:  The Silence

 

Glossary:         Pennsylvania Abolition Society

                        3/5 Compromise

 

  1. What beliefs and motivations lay beneath the positions of the North, Virginia and the South on slavery? 
  2. What two compromises allowed the Constitution to go forward without a definitive stance on slavery?
  3. What two overriding issues complicated the abolition of slavery?
  4. Distinguish the positions of George Washington & Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. 

 

Chapter Four:  The Farewell

 

Glossary:         Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation

Jay’s Treaty

Whiskey Rebellion

 

  1. What was so “visionary” about Washington’s understanding of the future of the United States?  What was so enlightened about his understanding of the role of the U.S. in world affairs?
  2. Explain the differences that developed between Washington and Jefferson over the governance of its people? 
  3. Define the concept of a “democracy” as it applied to America’s founding years. 

 

Chapter Five: The Collaborators

 

  1. How did foreign policy issues during Adams’ presidency reflect domestic differences?
  2. What changes in United States politics did the evolution from the Adams-Jefferson collaboration to the Jefferson-Madison collaboration represent? 

 

Chapter Six:  The Friendship

 

  1. Based on Ellis’s description of the correspondence between Adams and Jefferson, give two or three factors that comprise the legacy of these two founding fathers.