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 John Adams (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 Thomas Jefferson? (3)
Where was John Adams when he first read the U. S. Constitution? (overseas)
How does Adams feel about the outgoing President George Washington? (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 Sedition Acts – Many Americans believed that these Acts violated the First Amendment rights
of free speech and free press.
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions – The passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts lead Thomas Jefferson
and James Madison 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 American Revolution 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 Federalist Party, 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?