history

A. Okay, here it is-the “Big George” question that you all must answer for 10 points: George Washington was said by Henry Lee to be “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Jefferson said that “…on the whole, his character was…perfect…never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great…” So, now I would like for you to tell me all you know about this great Virginian by discussing the “Father” of our country from his early days, through his involvement in the French and Indian/Seven Year’s War, the build up for the Revolutionary War, his role as military leader, the difficulties with the central government when we had the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, the Virginia Convention of 1788, Washington as President, Washington’s retirement years and his death at Mount Vernon.

B. You must answer BOTH of the following questions for 10 points each.

1. Discuss the relationship between the debts England incurred as a result of the French and Indian/Seven Year’s War and our Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War. In other words, explain how the French and Indian/Seven Year’s War “caused” the Revolutionary War? Take your answer from the Proclamation of 1763 to the signing of the Declaration! Emphasize Virginia’s role.

2. Give a biographical sketch of Thomas Jefferson…introduce him with a quick early biography and then concentrate on the time from our first meeting of him as he listened to Patrick Henry introduce his resolutions against the Stamp Act in 1765 until the last reference to him in this section of the book when he expresses his serious concerns about the Missouri Compromise (“Firebell in the night”). Be sure to explain his role in the development of our first two political parties, the (Democratic) Republicans which Jefferson “founded” and the Federalists of Hamilton. Do you remember what the three things were that he wanted put on his tombstone…what were they?

C. Select 2 of the following at 10 points each: (be generous with the info!!!)

1. Why was Norfolk considered a “thing apart from the rest of Virginia” with regard to the Revolutionary War and do you agree that “Norfolk suffered perhaps more severely than any city in America during the Revolution.” Why?

2. Beginning with the arrival of French aid, tell the “end of the story” of the Revolutionary War and take it all the way to the surrender of the British at Yorktown.

3. Once the Constitution (that we now have) was written, it had to be ratified by the states. It is generally assumed that a majority of Virginians were in opposition to the adoption of the Constitution but it was ratified by Virginia…how did this happen?

4. Give a biographical sketch of John Marshall and tell why he had such a lasting impact on the country. Give the main decision in a couple of his more important cases and explain his reasoning..

5. The issue of internal improvements arose after the War of 1812…what were they and how did the discussion of such play in Virginia? (Incorporate the following: Strict and loose construction of the Constitution, “Clay’s American System”…national bank recharter, tariffs, and internal improvements like a federal road building program, the James River-Kanawah River Canal project.)