Presidents from Washington Through Monroe, 1789-1825 : Debating the Issues in Pro and Con Primary Documents

by Sturgis, Amy H.

• ISBN13: 9780313313875
• ISBN10: 0313313873
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780313016745
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-11-30
• Publisher: Greenwood Pub Group

Summary

This work offers the best of both worlds: broad analysis of the first five presidential administrations and specific excerpts from original documents supporting and opposing the presidents' positions. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe speak for themselves as they argue for their positions on the key political, social, and economic issues of their time in excerpts from primary sources. Excerpts from opposing positions on each issue give the presidents' critics a voice. An explanatory overview of each issue will help students to understand the argument and the context of the issue and to apply critical thinking skills to their understanding. The section on each president includes entries on 4-5 key issues of his administration, from the president's title at the beginning of Washington's administration to American Indian removal at the close of Monroe's term. Primary documents include presidential memoirs, speeches, and letters, congressional speeches, Supreme Court decisions, newspaper editorials, and comments from prominent private citizens. An introductory overview of each president's administration provides a useful window through which to assess the specific debates and documents addressed. A timeline provides a chronological backdrop for the subject, and recommended readings following each section offer helpful direction for further study. Though the founding presidents remain revered today for their pioneering accomplishments in the early nation, this work reminds readers that the first executives faced ongoing opposition from members of the legislature, judiciary, and general public. Readers will gain a grounded understanding of the contested issues of the young nation and the way early decisions impacted our political system across time.

Author Biography

AMY H. STURGIS teaches at Belmont University. She is the author of two books in the President's Position: Debating the Issues series.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword	ix
Preface	xiii
Timeline	xv
Introduction	1	(10)
George Washington 1789-1797	11	(38)
The President's Title	17	(6)
Public Credit	23	(5)
The National Bank	28	(6)
Neutrality	34	(7)
The Whiskey Insurrection	41	(6)
Recommended Readings	47	(2)
John Adams 1797-1801	49	(32)
International Neutrality	54	(7)
The Nation's Army	61	(6)
Alien and Sedition Acts	67	(5)
Santo Domingo	72	(6)
Recommended Readings	78	(3)
Thomas Jefferson 1801-1809	81	(40)
Defense	87	(5)
New Orleans	92	(6)
Louisiana Purchase	98	(5)
Judicial Review	103	(4)
American Indian Policy	107	(6)
Embargo	113	(6)
Recommended Readings	119	(2)
James Madison 1809-1817	121	(34)
State/National Government Relations	126	(6)
Executive Power	132	(5)
War of 1812	137	(6)
The National Bank	143	(6)
The National Government's Role in Internal Improvements	149	(5)
Recommended Readings	154	(1)
James Monroe 1817-1825	155	(34)
Pensacola Seizure	160	(6)
Missouri Compromise	166	(6)
Internal Improvements	172	(5)
Monroe Doctrine	177	(5)
American Indian Removal	182	(6)
Recommended Readings	188	(1)
Bibliography	189	(4)
Index	193