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8th grade · Social Studies · Unit 7 of 10

A New Nation

The early republic, from George Washington to Monroe

What your child practices

The problems facing the new republic, Hamilton's economic plan, the first political parties, the War of 1812, the Louisiana Purchase, and the foreign policies of George Washington through James Monroe, including the Farewell Address and the Monroe Doctrine.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) teks student expectation: 8.5(A); 8.5(C); 8.5(D); 8.5(E); 8.5(F); 8.6(B) · problems of the early republic, the first parties, the War of 1812, and early foreign policy

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. George Washington set many patterns for the presidency.
  2. The War of 1812 was fought with Britain, partly over impressment, Britain forcing American sailors into its navy.
  3. The Star-Spangled Banner was written during the attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore. The Monroe Doctrine warned Europe away from the Americas.

Example: The War of 1812 was fought between the US and which country? Britain was seizing American sailors. It was also limiting US trade. The war was with Britain. Answer: Britain

A New Nation in Texas

In the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), this is unit 7 of 10 in 8th grade Social Studies, after The Constitution & the Courts and before Westward Expansion.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    In 1803, the US bought the Louisiana Territory from…

    • Britain
    • France
    • Spain
    • Mexico

  2. Question 2

    Thomas Jefferson and his Democratic-Republicans favored…

    • A national bank
    • Cities only
    • Stronger states and a nation of farmers
    • A king

  3. Question 3

    In his Farewell Address, George Washington warned Americans against…

    • trade with any country
    • building roads
    • political parties and permanent foreign alliances
    • electing presidents

  4. Question 4

    The first two political parties formed around…

    • Lincoln and Douglas
    • Adams and Kennedy
    • Grant and Lee
    • Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson

  5. Question 5

    The War of 1812 was fought between the US and…

    • Spain
    • France
    • Mexico
    • Britain

  6. Question 6

    Jefferson's first inaugural address said…

    • "Give me liberty"
    • "Remember the Alamo"
    • "Four score and seven years ago"
    • "We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists"

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