Washington’s Legacy
Did later U.S. presidents follow George Washington’s advice about foreign alliances?
In this lesson students will examine the foreign policy advice of President George Washington and then evaluate the policies for four other US presidents to analyze if they followed his advice.
Objectives:
- Students will summarize Washington’s warnings in his Farewell Address (1796) about foreign entanglements and political parties.
- Students will analyze how later U.S. foreign-policy doctrines and actions echoed, departed from, or reinterpreted Washington’s advice.
- Students will evaluate continuity and change in American foreign policy across U.S. history using primary sources.
- Students will construct an evidence-based argument about the Farewell Address’s influence.
Assessment:
Formative:
Source worksheet and group presentations
Summative:
- Two – column poster “Ways Washington’s Advice Was Followed” vs. “It was Ignored/Reinterpreted” with textual evidence and one historical consequence per item
- DBQ Style Prompt Thesis Statement with evidence: “Evaluate the influence of Washington’s Farewell Address on U.S. foreign policy, 1796 – 1947” Use at least three primary sources.
Resources
Download Lesson
DownloadFeatured Lesson Plans
Promises and Protections: Are Rights Equal for Everyone?
Students will investigate whether natural rights have been equally protected for all people in the United States throughout history. Through analysis of constitutional rights, Jim Crow laws, voting rights expansion, and civic discussion, students will examine how rights and freedoms have been protected, limited, and expanded over time.
Power of One
This lesson explores ways in which people can engage in civic renewal beyond voting. Students will analyze a photo of a protest, and then read and analyze case studies about kids making a difference through non-voting civic renewal initiatives. As part of their case study analysis, students will learn and apply the definitions of “top down” and “bottom up” approaches to civic action. As tweens and young teens are legally unable to vote, the ultimate goal of this lesson is to showcase inspiring examples of civic renewal that did not involve the power of voting.
It Makes Sense! Common, That Is!
Students will trace the establishment of Republicanism in history using the primary sources including the Mayflower Compact, Common Sense, Declaration Of Independence, Articles Of Confederation, Constitution.