Master of American History and Government

Ashland University

AHG 604:

The Early Republic

Sunday, June 24 — Friday, June 29, 2007

Instructors: Rob McDonald and Steve Knott

Course Focus: This course covers the period from 1789 to 1817, from the ratification of the U.S. Constitution through the War of 1812 and the conclusion of the presidency of James Madison.

Learning Objectives: The course will address the democratization of Americas politics, society, and economy, the origins of American foreign relations, and sectional antecedents of the U.S. Civil War.

Requirements: Students auditing the course as a part of a Teaching American History Grant program must complete the readings and fully participate in the seminars during the week.

Required Texts

• James Roger Sharp, American Politics in the Early Republic: The New Nation in Crisis (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1993). ISBN: 0300065191.
• Joyce Appleby, Thomas Jefferson (New York: Times Books, 2003). ISBN: 0805069240.
• Garry Wills, James Madison (New York: Times Books, 2002). ISBN: 0805069054.
• Course Packet (CP) of readings

Sunday, June 24

4:30 — 6:00 pm: Introduction & Session 1: Introduction to this Seminar with Rob McDonald and Steve Knott

Topic: George Washington and the New Nation

Focus: Why was Washington considered the republican ideal? What were the new governments challenges? What were Americans expectations?

Readings:

• Sharp, 1-30
• George Washington, First Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789 (CP pg. 1)
• Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, May 5, 1789 (CP pg. 5)
• George Washington, Farewell Address, October 19, 1796 (CP pg. 7)

7:00 8:30 pm Session 2: Institute Lecture Attendance is required.

Monday, June 25

9:00 am - 10:30 am: Session 3

Topic: The Rise of Faction

Focus: How did Americans begin to divide into Federalist and Republican camps?

Readings:

• Sharp, 31-68
• Thomas Jefferson, Opinion on the Constitutionality of a National Bank, February 15, 1791 (CP pg. 17)

10:50 am - 12:20 pm: Session 4

Topic: The French Revolution in America

Focus: How did the revolution in France affect American politics? How did it expose different perceptions of the American Revolution?

Readings:

• Sharp, 69-112
• George Washington, The Proclamation of Neutrality, April 22, 1793 (CP pg. 21)
• Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, The Pacificus-Helvidius Debate (CP pg. 23)
• Thomas Jefferson, Opinion on the French Treaties, April 28, 1793 (CP pg. 29)
• John Adams, Letter to Thomas Jefferson, July 13, 1813(CP pg. 37)

4:30 - 6:00 pm: Session 5

Topic: The Jay Treaty

Focus: How did foreign policy choices and challenges divide Americans?

Reading:

• Sharp, 113-137

Tuesday, June 26

9:00 am - 10:30 am: Session 6

Topic: The Election of 1796

Focus: How would Americans define their principles when Washington was no longer around to embody them?

Readings:

• Sharp, 138-162
• John Adams, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1797 (CP pg. 39)

10:50 am - 12:20 pm: Session 7

Topic: Quasi War and Constitutional Crisis

Focus: Why didnt Adams declare war on France? Why did he sign the Alien and Sedition Acts? What was the significance of the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions?

Readings:

• Sharp, 163-207
• The Alien and Sedition Acts, 1798 (CP pg. 43)
• Thomas Jefferson, Draft of the Kentucky Resolutions, October, 1798 (CP pg. 45)

4:30 - 6:00 pm: Session 8

Topic: The Revolution of 1800

Focus: How did the election of 1800 differ from the election of 1796? Why did Americans seem to consider it even more pivotal?

Reading:

• Sharp, 208-249

Wednesday, June 27

9:00 am - 10:30 am: Session 9

Topic: The Coup that Failed Focus Questions: Why did some Federalists consider Burr preferable to Jefferson? Why, after the Electoral College tie, did the House finally install Jefferson as president?

Reading:

• Sharp, 250-275

10:50 am — 12:20 pm: Session 10

Topic: Jeffersons America

Focus: How revolutionary was the Revolution of 1800?

Readings:

• Appleby, 1-52
• Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801 (CP pg. 49)

Topic: Jefferson in Power

Focus: How did Jefferson interpret the Constitution? Why did he glide to re-election in 1804?

Readings:

• Appleby, 53-91
• Thomas Jefferson, State of the Union Address, November 8, 1804 (CP pg. 53)
• Thomas Jefferson, Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1805 (CP pg. 57)

Thursday, June 28

9:00 am - 10:30 am: Session 12

Topic: Jeffersons Foreign Policy

Focus Questions: Why was Jefferson so eager to reach West— and so anxious to isolate America from the troubles of Europe?

Readings:

• Appleby, 92-131
• Thomas Jefferson, State of the Union Address, October 27, 1807 (CP pg. 61)
• Thomas Jefferson, State of the Union Address, November 8, 1808 (CP pg. 65)
• The Richmond Enquirer, A Modest Proposal, October 11, 1808 (CP pg. 69)

10:50 am - 12:20 pm: Session 13

Topic: Passing the Torch

Focus: To what extent was Jeffersons presidency a success? How were Madisons aims similar and different?

Readings:

• Appleby, 132-157; Wills, 57-79
• James Madison, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1809 (CP pg. 71)

4:30 - 6:00 pm: Session 14

Topic: The War of 1812

Focus: Why did America declare war on Britain? Did the conflict reinforce or redefine American principles?

Readings:

• Wills, 80-131
• James Madison, State of the Union Address, November 5, 1811 (CP pg. 73)
• James Madison, State of the Union Address, November 4, 1812 (CP pg. 77)

Friday, June 29

9:00 am - 10:30 am: Session 15

Topic: The Federalists Last Gasp

Focus Questions: What explains the passing of the Federalist party? Without the Federalists as adversaries, could the Republicans retain their focus and beliefs?

Reading:

• Wills, 132-164

10:50 am 12:20 pm: Session 16

Session Review and Questions

Readings:

• Alexis de Tocqueville, Why Democratic Nations Show a More Ardent and Enduring Love of Equality than of Liberty (CP pg. 83)

1:30 pm 3:00 pm: Session 17

Final Comprehensive Examination (or other final requirement)