Section III - Governing a New Nation

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Identify these men who were a part of George Washington's cabinet.  Give their name, position and date of birth/death.

Use a chart like the one below to list George Washington’s cabinet for his terms of office.  Include the cabinet member's duties in the appropriate column.  In the final column add the current President’s cabinet.  You may need to add some cabinet positions.

Have any of the duties of the cabinet members changed since George Washington’s era?  Have any of the titles changed?

Hold a mock cabinet meeting having students take on the roles of George Washington and his cabinet members.  Topics for the meeting should be researched by the students so they can discuss the issues and make suggestions/proposals for action on the issues.

Hold a mock cabinet meeting with students taking on the role of George Bush and his cabinet.  What issues would the cabinet meeting cover based on current issues and events?

Are any of the issues similar to those that George Washington and his cabinet had to deal with?  Which ones? 

Research and give an oral presentation on one of George Washington’s cabinet members.  Locate images and primary sources to share with the class during your report.

Research and give an oral presentation on one of George Bush’s cabinet members.  Locate images and primary sources to share with the class during your report.

What were George Washington’s major achievements while in the Presidency?

Have students select a President and research to determine what his major achievements were while in the Presidency.

Jefferson and Hamilton disagreed over the establishment of a National Bank.  Develop a chart similar to the one below to outline their thoughts on the National Bank.

Image on the left shows Jefferson's opposition to the Bill for Establishing a National Bank.  These notes, written February 15, 1791, can be viewed in their entirety here.  For a transcription of this document, click here.

Did George Washington establish any precedents that are still carried on by Presidents today?  If so, list them.

Examine Jefferson’s letter to Eli Whitney pertaining to the cotton gin (at right).  What is required of Whitney in order for him to receive a patent on his cotton gin?   Jefferson proceeded to ask additional questions in his letter to Whitney.  As Eli Whitney, write a response to Jefferson answering those questions.

Click image to view larger version. Click here to read transcription.

Review the article, A History of the United States Patent Office, by Jason O. Watson.  Using a chart like the one below, list Jefferson’s and Hamilton’s view on patents.  Are there any areas where Hamilton and Jefferson agree concerning patents?

Current event: U.S. Government Brings Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Program to South Florida

Who is the current Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office?  Use the current event above to determine if any of the issues from Jefferson’s era are still of concern today.  Elaborate on your findings.

Washington named David Rittenhouse (1732-1796) as Director of the United States Mint.  What kind of information can you surmise about Rittenhouse as you examine his image (at right). Research his life to determine what skills he had that qualified him for this position.  Present an oral report to the class.  Be sure to use images and primary sources in your presentation.

Washington was administered the oath of office on April 30, 1789.  Locate a copy of that oath.  Is the same oath administered today?

On the right is an image of Washington's inaugural address.  Click the image for the full address.  Click here for the transcription. Have students select a President, find a copy of that President’s Inaugural Address, and re-create the “swearing in” and the Inaugural Address. Other students should play the roles of television and newspaper reporters at the “swearing in” and the Inaugural Address and produce a television news report/feature and newspaper articles/features.

From the time George Washington took office, he always wore clothing that were made in America, a detail that was noted and reported in the newspapers of his era.  Have other Presidents been known by certain traits or actions or nicknames?  Make a list.

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Examine the painting of the Exhumation of the Mastadon on the left.  Can you determine the process of excavating the mastadon?  What needs to be done first when such an item is discovered? (Click here for basic information on the process of archaeology.)

Find out about Charles Willson Peale, the artist of this painting.