Summary: This iCivics lesson focuses on the arguments for and against a national bank. When Alexander Hamilton introduced the idea of a National Bank, it met with pushback from the likes of Madison and Jefferson. This battle was the nation's first constitutional crisis: Could the Congress take on a power not expressly listed in the Constitution? Was the Bank ``necessary and proper" to other expressed powers? This document-based lesson takes students through the competing views about a national bank and efforts to persuade President Washington to approve or veto the plan. (Due to the nature and style of writing from this period, this particular DBQuest module is geared more towards advanced readers and courses, like APGov and APUSH.)
Overarching Questions:
- CIVICS: Have individuals and groups influenced public policy during this time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
- ECONOMICS: What is the proper role of government in the economy? (Especially with regard to economic crises, national defense/security, health and safety of the people, and economic development and practices.)
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.CivicsPI.2.b: Examine the emergence of early political parties and their views on centralized government and foreign affairs and compare these positions with those of today’s political parties.
- 6.1.12.EconEM.2.a: Explain how the United States economy emerged from British mercantilism.
- 6.1.12.EconEM.2.b: Assess the effectiveness of the new state and national governments attempts to respond to economic challenges including domestic (e.g., inflation, debt) and foreign trade policy issues
Link to Lesson: Hamilton and the National Bank DBQuest | What was the National Bank? | iCivics