Thomas Jefferson’s Second Term and the Events

Leading Up to the War of 1812

Grade Level: 8th
Subject: U.S. History
Time: Two 45-minute Periods

Lesson Overview

This lesson will revolve around Thomas Jefferson’s second term, specifically the events, acts,
and economic policies that lead up to the War of 1812. We will discuss the U.S. policy on neutrality
during the British and French conflict during Jefferson’s presidency, as well as the economic and
political impact it had. Students will learn what British impressment is, how it prompted the Embargo Act
of 1807, and the disastrous effects it had on the country.

Learning Target
I canI can
explain howhow
explain Jefferson’s policy
Jefferson’s affected
policy the country
affected by analyzing
the country his decisions
by analyzing during the
his decisions
British and French conflict so that I can understand the causes of the War of 1812.
during the British and French conflict so that I can understand the the causes of the War of 181

Materials Needed

Teacher Student
- Projector - Writing utensil
- Computer or tablet - Spiral
- Notes on Jefferson - Computer
- Timeline reading
- Timeline worksheet

Agenda
Warm-Up – 5 mins.
Bottling up the Whiskey Rebellion – Analyze the political cartoon using the T.A.C.O.S. method

Time -
Audience -
Caption -
Occasion -
So What -
 Lecture – 15 mins.
Jefferson’s First Term – PowerPoint presentation to review the early years of Thomas Jefferson

- Students glue Jefferson notes into spiral

- Watch videos from PowerPoint with class and highlight parts of notes that are important
- Slides cover:
o Overview of Jefferson’s presidency
o Election of 1800
o Louisiana Purchase

NearPod – 20 mins.

Jefferson’s Second Term

Explain how to open and use NearPod.

- Review Quiz
o Washington question
o Adams question
o Louisiana Purchase question
- Balance of Trade chart
o Discuss balance of trade during Jefferson’s presidency
o Stress the effects of politics and events on the economy
- Britain and France at War
o In 1803 Britain and France resume conflict
o Both tried blocking U.S. trading ships
o Jefferson wanted to remain neutral
- Impressment video
- Matching pairs slide

Trade as a Weapon Activity – 35 mins.

Embargo Act of 1807 Timeline

- Teacher reads passage and students follow along in order to fill out a timeline
o Word bank at the top of timeline
o Timeline ranges from 1660-1807