Lesson 1: The First Presidencies
Duration of Days: 5
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to evaluate the precedents set by George Washington and the challenges faced by John Adams.
What does it mean for a President to set a "precedent," and why was Washington’s departure from office so significant?
How did the personal and political rivalries between the Founding Fathers lead to the creation of the first political parties?
Precedent
Cabinet
Federalist Party/Democratic-Republican Party
Faction
Interpretation
Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author’s point of view or purpose
Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
This lesson transitions students from the "rules" of the Constitution to the "reality" of governing. It highlights how quickly the Founding Fathers disagreed on the interpretation of the Constitution, leading to the birth of the two-party system.
Provide a T-chart graphic organizer for the Hamilton vs. Jefferson section to visually separate their views
A short-answer response evaluating John Adams’ presidency: "Was the Sedition Act a violation of the 1st Amendment? Use evidence from the Bill of Rights to support your claim."