cabinet dilemma #1: Negotiating with France
Directions: In your notebooks define the terms below and then describe the dilemma that President Thomas Jefferson's cabinet is dealing with in your own words. Make sure your explanation is clear and complete so that you completely understand what is happening during this time.
Language of the Discipline to Define: Liquidate, bargain, abide, justify, precedent, uneasy.
Dilemma Description: The year is 1803 and France is still at war with England. Only this time up and coming General Napoleon Bonaparte is leading France's cause against the British. However unfortunately for Napoleon wars cost money and France is running desperately low on funds. The only way it can keep its war effort going is to liquidate its colonial lands in the Americas.
Napoleon is offering to sell President Jefferson all of the Louisiana Territory for a bargain cost. However there is one big problem that stands in Jefferson's way: it doesn't say anywhere in the Constitution that Presidents can purchase lands without the approval of Congress. Since Congressional approval could take weeks and Napoleon can be a bit unpredictable, this is a limited time offer.
So does President Jefferson abide by the Constitution and risk losing this huge territory by waiting for approval from Congress? Or does Jefferson bend the rules and purchase this land behind Congress's back?
Cabinet Decision Options
Directions: As a "cabinet" decide which option fits best by choosing one of the following letters. Then write down the option on a separate sheet of paper and explain why it is the best choice in 30 words or more.
Directions: As a "cabinet" decide which option fits best by choosing one of the following letters. Then write down the option on a separate sheet of paper and explain why it is the best choice in 30 words or more.
Edmodo "Cabinet" Response
Directions: Click on the Edmodo link below and have your group Secretary of State explain in 30 words or more on why this option is the best choice. Cabinet plans will be voted on tomorrow to see which cabinet has the best explanation.
Directions: Click on the Edmodo link below and have your group Secretary of State explain in 30 words or more on why this option is the best choice. Cabinet plans will be voted on tomorrow to see which cabinet has the best explanation.
What Really Happened
Directions: Use the following highlighted links and your textbook pages 313, 314, and 316 to answer the following questions on the same piece of paper you wrote your Cabinet Option Decision in complete sentences.
1. Describe the American westward movement. Use the terms Conestoga wagons (p.314), Louisiana Territory, New Orleans and pioneers in your response. Underline these terms. (p. 313)
2. What was the "French threat" that alarmed President Jefferson? (p. 313)
3. What was the issue in Saint Domingue that led to the purchase of the Louisiana Territory ? (p. 313)
4. What were the agreements of the Louisiana Purchase? (p. 314)
5. How much money per acre did it cost? How much money does that translate to today?
6. Look under Article II Section 2 of the Constitution under the Executive Branch to find out what power the president has to justify this purchase. (p. 256)
7. Multiple Perspectives: What would a Federalist in Congress think about Jefferson's "treaty" with France? (p. 316)
8. Ethics: In your opinion did Jefferson violate the Constitution? If so why, if not why not? Defend your response with good reasoning. Use previous answers to help you with your analysis.
9. Ethics: In your opinion did Jefferson abuse his power by not waiting for Congressional approval? Why or why not?
10. Unanswered Questions: Does Jefferson's actions go with or against his belief of a small federal government? Defend your response with good reasoning.
11.Details: How does Jefferson's actions define his character as a leader? Use specific adjectives and examples to support your opinion.
12. Quote Analysis of U.S. Foreign Minister Robert Livingston: "Every eye in the U.S. is now fixed on this affair of Louisiana. Perhaps nothing since the revolutionary war has produced more uneasy sensations through the body of the nation." What does he mean by this statement? Why would he say the feeling is uneasy?
13. Look at the map above. Where did Lewis and Clark start their voyage? What physical environments and territories did they brave to get to the Pacific Ocean?
14. Big Idea (GATE Only): What other events in the U.S. have produced a similar feeling through the country? Cite a specific event to support your opinion.
Directions: Use the following highlighted links and your textbook pages 313, 314, and 316 to answer the following questions on the same piece of paper you wrote your Cabinet Option Decision in complete sentences.
1. Describe the American westward movement. Use the terms Conestoga wagons (p.314), Louisiana Territory, New Orleans and pioneers in your response. Underline these terms. (p. 313)
2. What was the "French threat" that alarmed President Jefferson? (p. 313)
3. What was the issue in Saint Domingue that led to the purchase of the Louisiana Territory ? (p. 313)
4. What were the agreements of the Louisiana Purchase? (p. 314)
5. How much money per acre did it cost? How much money does that translate to today?
6. Look under Article II Section 2 of the Constitution under the Executive Branch to find out what power the president has to justify this purchase. (p. 256)
7. Multiple Perspectives: What would a Federalist in Congress think about Jefferson's "treaty" with France? (p. 316)
8. Ethics: In your opinion did Jefferson violate the Constitution? If so why, if not why not? Defend your response with good reasoning. Use previous answers to help you with your analysis.
9. Ethics: In your opinion did Jefferson abuse his power by not waiting for Congressional approval? Why or why not?
10. Unanswered Questions: Does Jefferson's actions go with or against his belief of a small federal government? Defend your response with good reasoning.
11.Details: How does Jefferson's actions define his character as a leader? Use specific adjectives and examples to support your opinion.
12. Quote Analysis of U.S. Foreign Minister Robert Livingston: "Every eye in the U.S. is now fixed on this affair of Louisiana. Perhaps nothing since the revolutionary war has produced more uneasy sensations through the body of the nation." What does he mean by this statement? Why would he say the feeling is uneasy?
13. Look at the map above. Where did Lewis and Clark start their voyage? What physical environments and territories did they brave to get to the Pacific Ocean?
14. Big Idea (GATE Only): What other events in the U.S. have produced a similar feeling through the country? Cite a specific event to support your opinion.