2. evaluate the effect of the challenges to the authority of the federal government. 3. gather information using primary resources. The students have completed an activity which focused on the foreign challenges to the new nation. Students should understand that the federal government did not have the central place in public life that it has today. Five challenges to the authority of the federal government are presented through a series of primary resources.
Background is provided to place each challenge in an historical context.
Students are required to analyze the excerpts and answer questions which deal with the reasons for the conflict, the way in which the government was challenged, and the view of government taken by the participants. Within the group, students should be encouraged to paraphrase the resource to ensure understanding. Teachers may need to provide some assistance with interpreting the primary resources. After each group has completed the worksheet, the teacher should organize a procedure for whole class sharing of the challenges. A suggested organization is provided for students to record information for each of the challenges.