L1: Agrarian America The Shifting Size and Scope of the National Government: Part One

1. L1: Agrarian America The Shifting Size and Scope of the National Government: Part One • Agenda • Objective: • To understand… • Life in Agrarian America (1776-1820s) • The myths associated with this time period • The relevance of the these myths for a unit on the shifting size and scope of the national government • Schedule: • Intro Unit • Group Work • Whole Class Discussion • Homework: • Consult unit schedule for background reading • JT Dates: • Notecards and Preliminary Thesis (Tues 1/22) • Preliminary Outline (Tan & Red = Thurs 1/24; Blue = Fri 1/25) • Annotated Bibliography (Red & Blue = Mon 1/28; Tan = Tues 1/29) • Rough Draft #1 (Fri 2/1)

2. New Unit! • Title: • The Shifting Size and Scope of the National Government: How has the U.S. Government Expanded or Contracted its Intervention and Regulation in the U.S. Economy, Politics and Our Personal Lives Since Reconstruction? Part One: Reconstruction to the 1920s • What does this mean? • Unit Schedule, Assignments, and Assessments

3. In the Beginning…Early America • To begin our unit, we want to understand what economic and political life was like in early America (1776-1820s) • Important because: • Gives us a starting point • Sets up a point of contrast with where America is headed • Establishes a legacy on which future arguments for and against the growth of the American government will draw on

4. Early America: Agrarian America • We might call this early period in American history Agrarian America • Task: • You will be given a series of images to explore with your group. • With your group describe what early America was like in terms of: • Nature/Experience of Work • Type of Economy • Political System • Nature/Size/Scope of American government

8. Discussion: Agrarian America • Nature/Experience of Work • Type of Economy • Political System • Nature/Size/Scope of American government

9. What is Agrarianism?

10. What is Agrarianism? • Belief that values rural society as superior to urban society, values the independent farmer as superior to the paid worker, and sees farming as a way of life that can produce ideal social values. • Stresses the superiority of a simpler rural life as opposed to the complexity of industrial life. • Thomas Jefferson is a representative agrarian. Viewed farmers as “the most valuable citizens” and the truest republicans.

11. What is the Agrarian Myth?

12. What is the Agrarian Myth? • Sentiment attached to rural life across American history • Belief that American was founded on rural origins, and that the small time farmer, small business, or entrepreneur is the back bone of our democracy and economy • Belief that America is truly about the “little guy”

13. What are The Implications of the Agrarian Myth for a Unit on the Shifting Size and Scope of Government Intervention?

14. What are The Implications of the Agrarian Myth for a Unit on the Shifting Size and Scope of Government Intervention? • Who should the government defend, the rural sector or the urban sector? • Should the government get involved in the economy, politics, or our personal lives or should we leave individuals alone? • What is the true foundation of the U.S. economy: the small business or the giant corporation?