Lesson Plan: January 19-22

Process

Read and analyze Washington’s Farewell Address using the Molding the New Nation Smore. Create a bumper sticker supporting or questioning Washington’s beliefs concerning political parties and foreign alliances. (Assignment will be posted on Google Classroom)

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: The Presidency of (2 days)

Use text p. to introduce John Adams and the election of 1796. Discuss potential problems that could arise by having a president and a vice president from different political parties.

Then view the video clip from HBO’s John Adams as Adams takes the oath of office on the Molding the New Republic Smore.

Questions to discuss:

How many more electoral votes did John Adams over ? (3)

Where was John Adams when he first read the U. S. Constitution? (overseas)

How does Adams feel about the outgoing President ? (he praised him)

What promises does Adams makes? (to do justice at all time and to all nations, maintain peace, to uphold the Constitution)

What did the handshake between Adams and Jefferson mean?

What did Washington mean when he said to Adams “I am finally out and you are fairly in, let's see which of us will be the happiest?”

Part 1 – Events from John Adams’ Presidency

Students will then act out various events from Adams' presidency. After each skit, identify the individuals in the skit, summarize the event, and determine its reflection on President Adams. Students will record notes on their graphic organizer.

Key points to consider:

XYZ Affair – Despite public pressure, Adams refused to ask Congress to declare war on France.

Alien and Acts – Many Americans believed that these Acts violated the First Amendment rights of free speech and free press. and Resolutions – The passage of the lead Thomas Jefferson and to create the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions. These resolutions claimed that states had the right to nullify federal laws if they believed the law was unconstitutional.

Midnight Judges – Midnight judges were last minute appointment by John Adams before he left office. William Marbury never received his appointment papers. He sued new Secretary of State James Madison, leading to the court case of Marbury v. Madison.

Reflection: In your opinion, what was the public opinion concerning John Adam’s presidency (based on the events portrayed in the skits)?

Part 2 – Alien and Sedition Acts

Share the two clips (Liberty Will Reign and Adams’ Sedition Act) from HBO's John Adams on the Molding the New Republic Smore.

Discuss John Adams' conflicting messages regarding liberty and rights as represented in the clips. Why did Adams support the Sedition Act?

What could have influenced his change in beliefs from the to his presidency?

What did John Adams mean when he said, he “was determined to control events, not be controlled by them?”

Background information:

Clip #1 - illustrates John Adams's opinions and ideas about liberty during the American Revolution

Clip #2 - illustrates the division between Vice President Thomas Jefferson and President John Adams over the Sedition Acts

Groups will read about the Alien and Sedition Acts and answer the following questions:

1. Which provisions of the Constitution supported opposition to the implementation of these acts?

2. In what ways did the Sedition Act restrict fundamental rights granted in the Constitution and/or Bill of Rights?

3. Did the Sedition Act do more to protect security or to endanger freedom?

4. What role of did political parties play in the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Discuss the idea of "cheers and jeers" (rants and raves, usually a section in a newspaper such as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). Develop a cheer or jeer expressing your ideas and opinions about the Alien and Sedition Acts. Part 3 - Election of 1800

To conclude Adams' presidency, read text p. about the election of 1800.

Questions to discuss:

Why did the House of Representatives decide the winner of the election of 1800? (Jefferson and Burr were tied for electoral votes. This would be a good time to revisit the details of the Electoral College.)

How was this problem resolved for future elections? (The passage of the 12th Amendment required electors to cast separate ballots for president and vice president.)

What precedent was established with this election? (Presidential power passed peacefully from one party to another.)

Note: Be sure to discuss the declined of the , and the rise of the Democratic-Republicans. This would also be a good time to let students know that the D.R. Party becomes the Democratic Party. Complete the election of 1800 learning experience with the Electoral College map activity.

Process

Think-Pair-Share: In your opinion, why was John Adams a one term president? What factors affected his loss in the election of 1800?