Period 3 & 4: The Early Republic
Which president did the most to help build an “Empire of Liberty?”
Over the past 2 weeks, you have read about and discussed the various developments of the new nation. These developments include setting up a government and a viable economy, starting a Quasi War with France, doubling the size of the nation, a second war with Great Britain, and dealing with the issue of slavery. Many of these developments would not have been possible if it were not for our nation’s first five presidents (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe). Your assignment is to determine which of these five presidents did the most to help create an “Empire of Liberty.”
To do this, you (and your group) will be randomly assigned a president. Your group must brainstorm ways how your president helped create an “Empire of Liberty” (this will be easier for some presidents than others). While brainstorming ideas, make sure to think about domestic AND foreign policies (your presidential graphic organizer will be very useful in helping you with this). After you have brainstormed and formulated an argument, you will debate another president and try to convince the rest of the class why your president did the most to create an “Empire of Liberty.”
When developing your argument, make sure to keep in mind the class discussion on defining an “Empire of Liberty.” You should think about not just the strengths and weakness of your president, but the strengths and weaknesses of the other presidents as well.
Format of the debate:
· The group with the higher seeding will present their argument first. The first speaker should present a 3-4 minute oral argument laying out the ways in which their president created an “Empire of Liberty.”
· After the first group presents, the second group will do the same. While you may go over (within reason) the time limit, you may not go under the time limit. If you are unable to meet the 3 minute time marker, you will have to stand awkwardly in front of the class until time is completed.
· After both groups have presented, you have 4-5 minutes to formulate a rebuttal. A good rebuttal should do the following: 1) provide an overview at the top of your speech that explains to the judge why your president did more than the competitor to build an empire of liberty 2) CLASH with the arguments given by your opponent in the first speech. It might be beneficial to use the structure “They say…we say…” 3) Take into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of both your president and your opponent’s.
· During this 4-5 minute prep time for rebuttals, groups not debating should consider how they would rebut both opponents as you might have to debate them in another round.
· After both sides have presented their rebuttals, the designated judges will determine which president will “move on.”
· While groups are presenting, it is to your benefit to fill in the presidential graphic organizer.
In the space provided, fill in the bracket: