11th Grade Midterm Essay Topics Presidential Decisions Supreme Court Cases

George Washington Whiskey Rebellion Political Parties Farewell address:Neutrality Precedents: 2 terms, cabinet Government will enforce federal laws 2 terms until 1940 FDR Cabinet: “unwritten constitution”

Thomas Jefferson Louisiana Purchase – doubled size of US, cost $15 million Gained Mississippi River Lewis and Clark expedition Believed in strict interpretation Need “loose” interpretation Manifest Destiny

James Madison War of 1812 – 2nd war of independence Causes: impressments, British giving weapons to Indians, War Hawks calling for takeover of Canada Treaty of Ghent: ends war No land acquisitions Increase in nationalism War hero to become president – Jackson National anthem

James Monroe Monroe Doctrine: no colonization in Western Hemisphere If attempted will be seen as act of war US will stay out of European affairs When Doctrine was issued, US lacked military might to enforce – Britain supported US End of the 1800s – US able to enforce.

Andrew Jackson Indian Removal Act Pet Banks Spoils system Kitchen Cabinet Cherokee v. Georgia (John Marshall) Trail of Tears Common Man’s President Use of veto

Schenck v. US 1st Amendment Freedom of Speech –distribute pamphlets to avoid the draft Decision: Speech restricted during wartime. Impact: “Clear and Present Danger.”

Engel v. Vitale 1st Amendment – Freedom of religion. State regents prayer. Decision: Public schools cannot encourage prayer. Impact: Separation of church and state.

Vernonia v. Acton 4th Amendment – search and seizure – mandatory drug testing of athletes Decision: Legalized drug testing in schools Impact: testing athletes randomly for drug use is not an illegal search.

N.J. v. TLO 4th Amendment – search and seizure. Search of pocketbook looking for cigarettes – found drug paraphernalia Decision: School is a different environment – it is a legal search. Impact : Police need probable cause – school officials need reasonable suspicion.

Bethel v. Fraser 1st Amendment – speech. Inappropriate speech nominating a friend for student council. Decision: Freedom of speech restricted in public school. Impact: Cannot use speech that is inappropriate, profane or could cause harm to others.

Plessy v. Ferguson 14th Amendment – equal protection under the law. Louisiana – he wants to ride in a white railroad car Decision: legalized separation. Impact : allowed for Jim Crow laws and segregation of all public facilities. Overturned by Brown v. Board of Ed. 1954