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The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.
Here are the teacher pack items for The New Republic:
Overview In this experience, students create a group list of actions they think are necessary to establish a new government. Then they examine a list of laws enacted during Washington’s presidency and determine what each contributed to the new republic. Next they explain why Washington’s precedent of democratic transfer of executive power is important to American democracy. Finally they interpret a brief excerpt from the Farewell Address about the importance of the Constitution, and they restate the excerpt in their own words. If you have access to leveled readers that include stories about George or Martha Washington during these years, assign them to the students in parallel to this experience. Estimated duration: 35-45 minutes Vocabulary words: Objectives
Did you know that when first asked to be President, George Washington said No? He was reluctant to accept the job because he felt that the challenges of setting up a new government would be a difficult task and that he lacked the skills necessary for the Presidency. In this lesson, you will learn how Washington worked during his first term to establish the policies and precedents for running the new republic.
Objectives
Washington delivering his inaugural address, April 1789, painted by T.H. Matteson
When Washington took office he set out to organize the government so it would run smoothly and efficiently. He began by establishing his Cabinet—surrounding himself with the smartest men he knew. Alexander Hamilton was appointed Secretary of the Treasury; Thomas Jefferson was the Secretary of State; and James Madison was a key advisor. Once in place, Washington and his Cabinet began establishing policies for the new republic.
List an action you think would be necessary to establish a new government. If someone has already posted the action you have in mind, try to think of a different one.
Students answered a similar question at the end of Unit 2. After learning about the federal government as defined in the U.S. Constitution, students may have new thoughts on the tasks. Sample answers: a judicial system, a banking system, a political system, and policies to govern foreign and domestic relations.
