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About the New Nation
In 1789, it was an open question whether the Constitution was a workable plan of government. It was unclear whether the new nation could establish a strong national government, a vigorous economy, or win the respect of foreign nations. For a decade, the new nation battled threats to its existence, including serious disagreements over domestic and foreign policy and foreign interference with American shipping and commerce.
The nation's achievements during the first decade under the Constitution were impressive. The United States adopted a bill of rights, protecting the rights of the individual against the power of the central government; enacted a financial program that secured the nation's credit and stimulated the economy; and created the first political parties that involved the enfranchised segment of the population in national politics. In addition, the country built a new national capital in Washington, D.C. and became the first nation to transfer political power peacefully by an election. In foreign policy, Presidents Washington and Adams succeeded in keeping the country out of wars for which it was unprepared.
The United States was the first modern nation to achieve independence through a successful revolution against colonial rule. Many other colonies have subsequently won independence, but few have been as successful in subsequent economic and political development. Even the United States struggled to establish itself in its first decade under the constitution.
Learn more about the history of the new nation http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/subtitles.cfm?titleID=55
"My
movements to the chair of government…[are] not unlike those of
a culprit…going to the place of his execution." George Washington
to Henry Knox, April 1, 1789
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/documents/documents_p2.cfm?doc=319
To
learn more
Maps:
1786,
Carte
generale des treize Estats Unis
Images:
To
learn more
Timelines:
Click
here for timeline of the 18th Century.
Fact sheets and lesson plans:
Fact sheetmaybe
an s2:
Federalists
and Jeffersonians
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/us9.cfm
Recommended
lesson plan:
George
Washington: The Living Symbol
http://www.edsitement.neh.gov/lessonplans/living_symbol.html
Fact checks:
Quiz
on the New Nation
Recommended readings:
Stanley
Elkins and Eric McKitrick, The Federalist Era.
A comprehensive overview of the political, cultural, economic, diplomatic,
and military which explains why the Federalist worldview declined so
rapidly in the face of the democratic pressures of the era.
 Recommended
films:
A
Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens's account of the era of the French Revolution has been
filmed many times. A 1935 version starring Ronald Colman won several
Academy Award nomination. A 1958 English version starred Dirk Bogarde.
A 1980 version featured Chris Sarandon.
Danton
Polish director Andrzej Wajda's drama depicts the battle of wills
and ideas between the leaders of the French Revolution.
Learn
more:
learn
more film
 Recommended
Web site:
Religion
and the Founding of the American Republic
http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/overview.html
This Library of Congress exhibit includes: Religion
and the Congress of the Confederation, which examines the policies
of America's first national government toward religion; Religion
and the State Governments, which illuminates the policies of
the revolutionary state governments toward religion, ranging from disestablishment
in Virginia to multiple establishments in New England states; Religion
and the Federal Government, which focuses on the status of religion
in the new federal government; and Republican
Religion which traces the fortunes of religion.
To
learn more
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