One thread running through our conversations during the first half of this course is development of American political thought. Construct a 2-3 page essay that traces the core principles of American political thought – freedom, equality, opportunity, etc. The best responses will being their essays in the pre-Revolutionary period (the establishment of Jamestown, the development of the New England colonies, etc.) and end with the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. See below for a list of issues/events/individuals that MAY be helpful in writing this essay.
* Early colonial period (Jamestown, Maryland, Massachusetts Bay Colony, etc.)
* The Enlightenment period
* Deism/Pietism/the Great Awakening
* The French-Indian War
* The Revolutionary period
* Articles of Confederation vs. the Constitution
* Federalist party vs. Democratic-Republicans
* Jeffersonian democracy
