Lesson
The Early Commercial Republic, 1789-1815
Guiding question
How did the arguments over the National Bank shape the economic policies of the young republic?
After the Constitution was ratified, a new government was elected and took office in 1789. The administration of President George Washington adopted many economic policies that helped to develop the new nation. Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s Secretary of the Treasury, proposed a program of federal economic promotion.
Objectives
- Students will analyze the arguments during the early years of the republic between the Federalists, who favored policies of federal economic promotion, and Republicans, who favored strict interpretation of the Constitution’s enumerated powers of Congress.
Materials
Educator Resources
Student Handouts
- The Early Commercial Republic, 1789-1815 Essay
- Handout A: Excerpts from Jefferson’s “Opinion on the Constitutionality of a National Bank” (1791)
- Handout B: Excerpts from Hamilton’s Opinion as to the Constitutionality of the Bank of the United States (1791)
- Handout C: The Constitutionality of a National Bank
Lesson Components
EssayEssay: The Early Commercial Republic, 1789-1815
After the Constitution was ratified, a new government was elected and took office in 1789. The administration of President George Washington adopted many economic policies that helped to develop the new nation. Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s Secretary of the Treasury, proposed a program of federal economic promotion.
Lesson plan
65 minClick a phase to open it
Key Terms
- James Madison
- Alexander Hamilton
- John Adams
- George Washington
- republic