Writing Assistance Presidential Decisions— James Madison or James Monroe

Step 1&2: Use active reading strategies to understand the task.

United States Presidents have made important decisions in an effort to solve crucial problems. Theme: Presidential Decisions

From your study of United States History, identify two important Presidential decisions and for each: State one goal the President hoped to accomplish by making the decision Describe the historical circumstances surround the Presidential decision Evaluate the extent to which the decision achieved the President’s original goal. Discuss one immediate or long-term effect of the decision on United States history. Task:

Describe means “give a sketch or impression of the subject or topic.”

Evaluate means “present your opinion and judgment of something. Explain the criteria you are using to judge something and apply that criteria to specific examples.

Discuss means “examine and talk about all sides of a subject or issue in a carefully organized manner.”

Step 3: Formulate a preliminary claim (it might need revision later).

United States Presidents have made important decisions in an effort to solve crucial problems.

Steps 4 & 5: Collect information and record it on a graphic organizer.

Presidential Decisions—James Madison Presidential Decision Goal Historical Circumstances Success or Failure? Why? SPECIFIC long-term effect Pushing towards involvement in the War of 1812 England and France were at war British ships were seizing American ships headed to France. In addition to taking American cargo, the British also impressed American soldiers into service in the British Navy The War of 1812 brought America closer. Bitter fighting between the two political parties subsided as they fought a common enemy. Oddly, in spite of American losses in the fighting of the War of 1812, when Britain defeated Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814 (for the first time), they no longer had any issues with America and negotiated peace. America survived the war and remained independent. Establish security for American shipping and force European nations to start respecting American independence. The period after the war was called the “Era of Good Feelings” as America entered a period of peace and prosperity. Madison sent Congress a message reporting on these developments, which prompted Congress to declare war on Britain

Presidential Decisions—James Monroe Presidential Decision Goal Historical Circumstances Success or Failure? Why? SPECIFIC long-term effect Establishing the foreign policy known as the Monroe Doctrine Monroe avoided potential conflicts with Britain and Spain when General Andrew Jackson invaded Spanish owned Florida in the Seminole Wars and executed British pirates by orchestrating the Spanish Cession. Another potential conflict was emerging with Russia over Alaska As American strength grew, European countries couldn’t challenge it. Roosevelt told European countries that the United States would police the Americas. Despite not being able to back up such a threat, European countries did not challenge the Monroe Doctrine, making it a success, even if due more to luck than anything else. Protect the United States from European interference by keeping them out of the western hemisphere President Teddy Roosevelt reasserted the Monroe Doctrine with the Roosevelt Corollary in European countries have not intervened in western hemisphere since. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams helped Monroe craft this policy to stop further problems.

Step 6: Revisit your claim. Revise it, if necessary.

Step 7: Write your response, using your graphic organizer to guide you. Make sure your points are in a logical order.

Step 8: Re-read and edit your response. Remember, capitalization counts in this class.