Early Republic | Civics and U.S. History for Middle School

In this middle school lesson, students examine a political cartoon from 1807 to explore how the Constitution shaped decision-making in the early American Republic. Set during Napoleonic Wars, the lesson focuses on Thomas Jefferson and the controversial Embargo Act of 1807. As Britain and France interfered with American trade and practiced impressment, Jefferson and Congress faced constitutional questions about regulating commerce, separation of powers, and protecting national interests without going to war.

Through guided analysis, students practice the historical thinking skill of providing context, asking who, what, when, where, why, and how to better understand the cartoon’s message. They evaluate debates between Democratic-Republicans and Federalists, consider principles like separation of powers and consent of the governed, and craft a clear thesis answering the essential question: How did the Constitution influence decisions in the early Republic?