The Presidents of the New Republic
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Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe
The Founding Brothers … faces on money … places named after them … pretty important guys,
right? Our first five Presidents faced a great deal of challenges, both domestic and foreign, as they
led the young United States in its infancy. What did they do as the Chief Executive? How did they
help solve the problems of the new nation? What is the legacy of their policies and
accomplishments? Most importantly (for our class), who did their job the best? We will discuss and
debate these important topics in a great “Presidential Debate” in a few days – a debate unmatched
in the annals of history.
To prepare, we need to get some background information. This study guide will help you digest
the major accomplishments of the first five Presidents and also give you some excellent practice in
taking notes from multiple resources (something you have to
do for that little NHD project).
Presidential approval ratings first
Using the resources available online, your task is to take notes
appeared in the late 1930s to measure
on the administrations of each of the Presidents. You should
public support for the President. The
utilize AT LEAST TWO different resources for each
approval rating is usually reported as
a number between 0 and 100, based
President, focusing on the identified specific ideas and issues.
on what percent of the people polled
Your goal is to gain a basic understanding of the
approve of how the President is
administrations so that you can provide an “approval rating”
handling his/her job.
and explanation for each President. Identify your
resources in your notes by writing the BOLD part of the
resource tile listed online.
Some of the material will be discussed in class in greater detail, while some topics may be touched
on very briefly. If you have questions on any of the content, ask!
Once you have completed your notes for each President, you should use your information to take
the corresponding online quiz. Each quiz is designed to reinforce the main concepts and ideas of
a Presidential administration and also substitute having to study for a big test on this information.
You may take each quiz up to three times, with your highest score being registered.
What will we do with all of this awesome historical data? Have a great debate
between the first five Presidents. Stay tuned …
GEORGE WASHINGTON
Domestic Issues – The Cabinet, Native Americans and Fallen Timbers, Hamilton’s
Plan, The Whiskey Rebellion
Foreign Affairs - Neutrality Proclamation, Jay’s Treaty, Pinckey’s Treaty (with Spain)
Legacy - Precedents as President
The Cabinet – Congress passed a bill making 3 departments – State, Treasury, War – Wash’s
choices maintained balance between liberals and conservatives, made sure he was above the
growing party divisions – Hamilton, Randolph, Knox, Jefferson
APPROVAL
RATING
(0-100)
RATIONALE FOR MY APPROVAL RATING FOR WASHINGTON:
ABCCLIO
JOHN ADAMS
Domestic Issues – Alien and Sedition Acts, Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Foreign Affairs - XYZ Affair, The “Quasi-War” with France
APPROVAL
RATING
(0-100)
RATIONALE FOR MY APPROVAL RATING FOR ADAMS:
THOMAS JEFFERSON
Domestic Issues – Reduction of the government
Foreign Affairs - The Barbary Wars, The Louisiana Purchase, Impressment, the
Embargo Act, and the Non-Intercourse Act
APPROVAL
RATING
(0-100)
RATIONALE FOR MY APPROVAL RATING FOR JEFFERSON:
JAMES MADISON
Domestic Issues – Rechartering the National Bank
Foreign Affairs - The Non-Intercourse Act and Macon’s Bill No. 2, Impressment,
Declaring war with the British
NOTE – We will discuss the War of 1812 in greater detail, so not notes needed on the war
APPROVAL
RATING
(0-100)
RATIONALE FOR MY APPROVAL RATING FOR MADISON:
JAMES MONROE
Domestic Issues – The Era of Good Feeling, The Panic of 1819, The Missouri
Compromise, Decline of Political Parties
Foreign Affairs - Invasion of Florida and Adams- Onis Treaty, The Monroe Doctrine
APPROVAL
RATING
(0-100)
RATIONALE FOR MY APPROVAL RATING FOR MONROE: