Lesson Plan: February 1-5
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: The Presidency of James Madison (2 days)
To review the events leading to the War of 1812, discuss the following question:
In your opinion, what is the relationship between the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) that took place
during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency and the War of 1812 during James Madison’s presidency?
View the short video about the War of 1812.
Discussion questions:
What was impressment?
Why would the British ally with the Native Americans against the Americans?
What happens on June 1, 1812?
What were some of Madison’s grievances with the British?
Who opposed the war?
What could happen if the United States had lost the war?
Part 1 – Madison’s War Message to Congress
Read text pages so students will have the background information for Madison’s War message. In
groups, read and summarize James Madison's War Message to Congress (June 14, 1812). Share and
discuss their answers. Hold students accountable to text as they explain Madison’s reasons for war.
Reflection: Was President Madison justified in declaring war on Great Britain? Use evidence to explain
your answer.
Part 2 – Events of the War of 1812
Using the presentation notes, students will research and evaluate the burning of Washington, D.C. and
the battle at Fort McHenry with a graphic organizer. Use the PowerPoint when discussing student
responses to the questions in the graphic organizer.
Reflection: At the end of September 1814, who appeared to be on control of the war, the British or the
Americans? Explain your answer.
Part 3 – Ending the War
Students will use the text and the lyrics to Johnny Horton's "The Battle of New Orleans" to complete the
handout. Consider viewing the Battle of New Orleans video. Both the song and the video can be found
on the Molding the New Republic Smore.
Process
Make a Prediction statement: How would foreign nations view the United States after the War of 1812?
LEARNING EXPERIENCE: The Presidency of James Monroe (2 days)
Show the video clip about President James Monroe.
Discuss the following questions:
What territory was added to the United States during Monroe presidency?
Describe the Era of Good Feelings.
What happened to the United States in 1819?
What was the Missouri Compromise?
What was Monroe’s most famous accomplishment?
Who wrote the Monroe Doctrine?
Read and discuss the history of the Monroe Doctrine on pp. 348-350 in the American Nation textbook.
Students will record their summaries using a graphic organizer.
Use the PowerPoint to review the message of the Monroe Doctrine. Use the Molding the New Nation
Smore to view the Monroe Doctrine political cartoons. Students will record their notes using page the
graphic organizer.
Teacher notes:
Cartoon #1: Monroe Doctrine, 1896. American cartoon by F. Victor Gillam. (This cartoon illustrates the
U.S. invoking the Monroe Doctrine against Great Britain and other European powers at the time of the
Venezuelan Boundary dispute.)
Cartoon #2: The Great Wall – Monroe Doctrine, Nashville Tennessean, 1915, by Carey Orr. (This cartoon
depicts the Monroe Doctrine as a shield for America’s neutrality in WWI.)
Cartoons 1 and 2 demonstrate to students that the Monroe Doctrine was used during the 20th century
to prevent European involvement in the Americas, the original intent of the Doctrine.
Think-Pair-Share: In your opinion, was the Monroe Doctrine issued to:
(1) Protect new Latin and South American countries from European colonization efforts, or
(2) Give the United States control of the western hemisphere, or
(3) Both 1 and 2?
Explain your answer.
Summative Assessment - Presidential Foreign Policies: Washington through Monroe (2 days)
Using the text and handouts from the previous learning experiences, trace the foreign policies of
Washington through Monroe (Washington pp. 285; Adams pp. 291-292; Jefferson pp. 312-314; Madison
pp. 318-319; Monroe pp. 350-351). Students should focus on gathering facts that demonstrate each
Presidents' course of action with foreign nations.
Questions to consider:
What were the significant events in U.S. diplomacy before 1823?
Which events were connected to peace and safety concerns for the United States?
What factors led the United States to engage in diplomatic exchanges with other countries?
What treaties were established?
Students will place research into a foldable format (see example of a flip flap foldable). The foldable
should reflect facts and illustrations about each President's foreign policy.
Complete the reflection: The New Republic promoted neutrality with regard to its foreign policy.
Considering the fact that the United States was becoming a world power, was it realistic to have a
foreign policy of neutrality while trying to establish relationships with other nations? Why or why not?
Use evidence from your foldable to support your answer.