Jeffersonian Democracy: Post comments by midnight Saturday, March 08, 2014

Keep in mind when posting that you must post one original response AND a response to a post by a classmate.

What is meant by the term Jeffersonian Democracy?  Explain how Jefferson's moderation and compromises turned the "Revolution of 1800" into a relatively smooth transition of party control from Federalists to Republicans.

Describe the conflicts between Federalists and Republicans over the judiciary and the important legal precedents that developed from these conflicts.

How does the period 1800-1812 look if viewed through Native American eyes? Could the attempt of Tecumseh and the Prophet to unite western Natives against US expansion have created a different dynamic in white-Native relations?

What were the "causes" of the Louisiana Purchase?  How did Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase transform America's understanding of itself and its future? Was it inevitable that the west would become part of a much greater United States, or was there real danger in efforts like Aaron Burr's to break those areas off from the country?

Describe Jefferson's basic foreign policy goals and how he attempted to achieve them.  Describe the original intentions and the actual results of Jefferson's embargo.  Was there any merit at all in Jefferson's embargo policy? What prompted this policy in the first place? 

Presidencies of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson... Post comments by Midnight Friday, February 28

Keep in mind when posting that you must post one original response AND a response to a post by a classmate. 

What were the differences and similarities between the Hamiltonians and the Jeffersonians with regard to political philosophy, long-term social and economic outlook, interpretations of the Constitution, and federal versus state power.

Discuss the Jay Treaty, the Pinckney Treaty (1795), the Whiskey Rebellion and its significance, the XYZ Affair, the Naturalization Act, the Alien and Sedition Acts under Adams.

Discuss Jefferson's foreign affairs policies and actions and his domestic policies and actions.

American Revolution, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution: Post by midnight February 22.

Keep in mind when posting that you must post one original response AND a response to a post by a classmate. 

Describe the military, political, and economic advantages and disadvantages of the British and the American armies leading up to and during the war.

What were the major battles of the war and which is considered the turning point and why?  Who were the major Generals of the war?

What was the role of women and African Americans (free and enslaved) during the war?  What were the effects of the war on the colonists?

What were the major features of the Articles of Confederation? Why were the AOC inadequate for the new nation (included foreign affairs issues & domestic affairs issues)? What were some achievements of the AOC?

What were the beliefs of the Federalists and the Antifederalists? Which of the Founding Fathers were Federalists and which were Anti-Federalists?  What did they each want to achieve with regard to a Constitution? Address the forces that shaped their views (ex. Shays's Rebellion).

With regard to the Constitution, how did it differ from the Articles?  Who is called the father of the Constitution? Why?  When was it written and finally adopted?

French and Indian War and Events Leading Up to the Revolution... Post by midnight February, 14

Keep in mind when posting that you must post one original response AND a response to a post by a classmate. 

Discuss the French and Indian War. What were the causes of the French and Indian War? What were the conditions of the Peace of Paris? What were the political and economic issues that Britain had to deal with as a result of the war? Also, you may chose to examine the significant personalities.

Address pre- and post-1763 British policies toward the American colonies. What was the reaction of the colonists? Were they justified? Were the British justified in enforcing the policies?

Discuss the reasons and time period for the the First and Second Continental Congresses.  Who attended these meetings and why?  The First and Second Continental Congresses were shaped by disputes between moderates, radicals, and conservatives. Discuss the positions of the three factions and explain which was the most persuasive and effective in achieving its goals (include the goals).  What documents were written in each of the Congresses?

Founding of the Colonies

                 Discuss the founding of Virginia and Plymouth.  

Explore the founding of all the colonies; why were they settled, who settled, when settled, economics of each colony, religions of each colony, ethnic make up of each colony, government of each colony, relations with the natives (positives and negatives), who were significant individuals of each of the colonies? 

How does the founding of the New England colonies compare with the origin of the middle colonies?


In what ways were New England and the middle colonies each like the South, and in what ways were they different?


Why was family life in New England so different from family life in the South?


During the early years of the colonies, what was the relationship with Great Britain?

This post will expire at midnight on February 08, 2014.

Vietnam War Questions to Ponder

Assess US involvement in Vietnam from the 1950s through the 1970s. Consider: Containment policy, Diem's assassination, the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, Tet Offensive, the policy of gradual escalation, the bombing campaign, Vietnamization, and the role of Presidents Eisenhower through Nixon.  These topics are jumping off points, there is MUCH more to consider.

In what ways did the Vietnam War heighten social, political, and economic tensions in the United States?

Remember to READ all the posts before posting your own... you will not get credit for restating something that someone else has posted.  You must also respond to a posting from a classmate.  Time to post to this topic will expire at midnight on Jan. 31.

Welcome to the 2014 APUSH Blog!!

Welcome to the 2014 APUSH blog. Why blog? The purpose of having an APUSH blog site is to prepare you for what is to come in your educational life. Many college professors use online discussions as a regular part of their courses. The mission of LCHS is to teach, challenge, support, and PREPARE every student to be a productive member of society. I take the prepare aspect of our mission very seriously. With that in mind, this should be an easy way to prepare for what is to come... certainly easier than say... note cards, studying for tests, and reading the American Spirit!! :-). I have found that blogging is very helpful for preparing my students for the AP Exam... just another tool!

I will be posting questions each Friday and you are required to post an original blog response and a response to a classmates post by the following Friday. Think of the blog as a roundtable... you should respond with SFI and/or analysis. You will not be given credit for comments that are historically inaccurate or the same as those posted by others, so be sure and read what others have posted. You may add to the comments made, but simply restating in different words will not get you credit. Make sure I can identify you by your blog name, if I do not know who you are then I cannot give you credit for blogging! Make sure I know who you are!!

I am looking for... thoughtful, informed responses, so keep this in mind as you post.

Happy, informed blogging! :-)