Have the students research the following events, recording the date of each event (month/day/year).   Have students then create a time line on which to record their information.

• Napoleon becomes Emperor of France

• Ceremony conducted (at St. Louis) to transfer ownership of Louisiana Territory from France to United States

• Burr kills Alex Hamilton in a pistol duel

• Congress orders removal of Indians east of Mississippi to Louisiana

• 12^th Amendment is ratified

• Burning of the U.S. Philadelphia on the Barbary Coast

• Haiti gains independence from France

• Ohio passes law restricting movement of Blacks

• Spain declares war on Great Britain

• New Jersey (last northern state) abolishes slavery  

• Launch of the Lewis and Clark expedition from Camp Dubois

• First self-propelling steam engine/steam locomotive is demonstrated

• Charles Floyd dies on the Lewis and Clark expedition

• German astronomer K. L. Harding discovers the asteroid Juno

• Impeachment trial begins against Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase (charged with political bias)

The pattern of political contention of 1804 was rich with current events and issues.  Using charts similar to the one below, record where each Presidential Candidate stood on these issues:

  The Louisiana Purchase   

Democratic Republicans Thomas Jefferson  Federalists   Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

What do you think?  Did Jefferson overstep his authority with the purchase of the Louisiana territory?  Was this an unconstitutional act?  Explain your answer.

Courtesy Mrs. John F. Clymer and the Clymer Museum of Art

The Exploration of the West

Democratic Republicans Thomas Jefferson	Federalists   Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

What do you think?  Explain your answer.

(Teacher Note: Click here for more extensive curriculum materials on the Lewis & Clark expedition.)

  National Defense (Barbary Kingdoms’ Tribute)     

What do you think?  Explain your answer.

Taxes/Decreasing the National Debt     

When you purchase a  new CD or DVD you now are playing 5% sales tax on your purchase?  Who gets this tax money and how is it being used?  

Interview adults who pays Federal and State Income taxes, asking their opinion on the taxes they pay.  List their comments to share with the class.

Napoleon Declaring Himself Emperor   

Democratic Republicans Thomas Jefferson  Federalists   Charles Cotesworth Pinckney

Courtesy The Granger  Collection, New York

Did the candidates agree on any of the issues of the day?  Which one (s)?  Which issue(s) was the most controversial?

Is there any similarity in the issues of 1804 and current elections?  List and elaborate on those that are similar.  

YOU ARE THERE:  

	Courtesy Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy
Research the incident of the capture and the burning of the U.S. Philadelphia.  Using the two images above, put yourself there as a television news reporter on the spot and do a broadcast of what is happening. (use the information sheet to collect information before you do the broadcast)

YOU ARE THERE:

Courtesy National Archives and Records Administration	Copyright, The Early American Digital Library
You witnessed the ratification of the U. S. Constitution and are to be interviewed by a newspaper reporter.  Prepare your statement of what you will say.  (Teachers may want to assign a student to be the reporter as well as the interviewee.)

YOU ARE THERE:

The Pasha of Tripoli is demanding tribute to be paid in order for your ship to trade safely.  What is your response to his demand?

Refer to the map (click on it for a larger version).  Tell which present day countries occupy the area once ruled by the Barbary kingdoms.