Chapter 7: Competing Visions Of A Virtuous Republic, 1776 - 1800

After reading this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

1. Cite how Americans of the late eighteenth century chose to define a good citizen in a republic and how their colonial experiences influenced the outcome of state constitution writing and the organization of a central government under the Articles of Confederation.
   
   
2. Explain why some political leaders believed the Articles of Confederation hindered national growth and prosperity, and describe the alternative they proposed.
   
   
3. Describe the struggle over how powerful the national government ought to be, and demonstrate how the Constitution of the United States mirrors that struggle.
   
   
4. Compare the arguments and methods employed by Federalists and Antifederalists in the struggle over ratification of the Constitution.
   
   
5. Analyze the differences between Hamilton's vision of the future of the United States and Jefferson's, and describe the effects of the French Revolution on diplomatic choices made during Washington's presidency.
   
   
6. Explain what the Federalists sought to achieve by engaging in a limited war with France in 1798 and how the Republicans reacted.