Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest

"I joy, my friends, in our joy, inspired by the visit of this our ancient and distinguished leader and benefactor. His deeds in the War of Independence you have heard and read. They are known to you and embalmed in your memories and in the pages of faithful history. His deeds in the peace which followed that war, are perhaps not known to you; but I can attest them. When I was stationed in his country, for the purpose of cementing its friendship with ours and of advancing our mutual interests, this friend of both was my most powerful auxiliary and advocate. He made our cause his own, and in truth it was that of his native country also. His influence and connections there were great….In truth I only held the nail, he drove it. Honor him, then, as your benefactor in peace as well as in war."

Thomas Jefferson, Speech at Charlottesville Dinner Honoring Lafayette, 1824

Lafayette plays a key role in persuading King Louis XVI to enter war on the side of the Americans against England. Make a list of other noted foreigners who would play key roles in the war on the American side. Include in your listing their nationality and their expertise.

	The French navy turns the tide against the British, blocking the escape route of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown on the Chesapeake Bay in October 1781. Study the map of the coast of Virginia and the image of surrender of Cornwallis. (Shown at left - click image to view larger version). In your opinion, had the artist ever visited Yorktown? What led you to your conclusion?
Courtesy Library of Congress

Lafayette returns to America in 1824 at the invitation of President James Monroe. He visits all of the then 24 states. Label this map with these twenty-four states.

List the states in a chart (example below) and in a second column list any tributes honoring Lafayette in each state (then or now).

Using the map you labeled, trace and date Lafayette's journey from state to state based on the information provided here. Be sure to clearly indicate where the journey began and where it ended.

Examine the Time Line on World Events, Developments, Discoveries that took place during Jefferson and Lafayette's life. Choose one of the events, developments, or discoveries to do in-depth research on. Share your findings with the class. Compare the events of 1756 - 1825 to events that have taken place in the last twenty-five years (1977- 2002). Do you see any similarities? Have there been major accomplishments? Make a list of the events/developments that you think Jefferson would have liked to have witnessed.

Jefferson and Lafayette strongly believe in democracy. Make a list of the events they would have supported in the 19^th and 20^th centuries. How do you think they would have responded to the September 11, 2001 terror attack on New York City and the Pentagon? Had Jefferson been President during the terror attack, how do you think he would have responded? Explain your reasoning.

The French-American connection spans over four hundred years. Examine the Chronology of Franco-American Relations and create an illustrated timeline that emphasizes this Franco-American relationship.
(click here to read a related current event article)

Outline the role and power of King Louis XVI (shown at right) and Jacques Chirac on the various elements listed in the chart:

Printer-friendly version of chart

Image: Antoine-Francois 1741-1823, artist
Copyright by G. Berrie & Son
Courtesy Library of Congress

	King Louis XVI	Jacques Chirac
Dates in office/of rule

What type of government?

Appointments:
councils
ministers
committees

Foreign Policy:
defense
war
national security

Governance of the People:
laws
taxes

Democratic principles:
freedom of assembly
freedom of petition
freedom of religion
freedom of speech

How similar or different are these two governments? Create a chart showing the similarities and differences.

Quote	Speaker
The eyes of the virtuous all over the earth are turned with anxiety on us as the only depositaries of the sacred fire of liberty.
Throughout its history, America has given hope, comfort and inspiration to freedom's cause, in all lands. The reservoir of good will and respect for America was not built up by American arms or intrigue, it was built upon our deep dedication to the cause of human liberty and welfare.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival of liberty.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be…The People cannot be safe without information. When the press is free, and every man is able to read, all is safe.
We are a nation of many nationalities, many races, many religions - bound together by a single unity, the unity of freedom and equality.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Freedom itself was attached this morning by a faceless coward and freedom will be defended.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery! Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Once you have identified the speaker, discuss with your teacher and classmates the circumstances that led these individuals to make their comments.

Section IV: Guardians and Defenders of Liberty and Democratic Principles

Section IV:
Guardians and Defenders of Liberty and Democratic Principles