Study Questions
How did the debate over the fate of Alexander Hamilton's proposal to create
the Bank of the United States foreshadow the future ideological division between
Republicans and Federalists?
Many historians describe the American experiment in building the state as a
continuous struggle between tradition and change. Evaluate this statement,
giving examples to support your evidence.
The division of the United States into political parties took on a distinctively
geographic element during the early years of the Union. Explain how this
division may be explained?
Which elements of the new national government may be seen as remedies to British
errors in governing the colonists?
What were the major areas of weakness of the Articles of Confederation and how
were they exposed during the mid 1780s?
What differences can be found between the British-Native American threat to US
settlers in the northwest and the Spanish-Native American threat in the
southwest? How did these differences affect US policy?
George Washington left office under a barrage of criticism, yet he is now
regarded as one of the greatest presidents in US history. Which view is
correct, and why?
What were Alexander Hamilton's goals as Secretary of State in regard to the tie
between the government and the upper class? How did his proposals in Congress
aim at the achievement of these goals?
How did the Constitution respond directly to the problems faced by the national
government under the Articles of Confederation? What evidence was there during
Washington's presidency to suggest these problems had been solved?
How did the two major domestic uprisings of the state-building period, Shays'
Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion reflect the values which arose during
the American Revolution? How did each affect the nation's view of the national
government?
