American Revolutions: A Continental History, 1750-1804

Compare and contrast the visions of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties for the newly formed United States, focusing on how these visions reflect different interpretations of the Constitution and views on the federal government’s role.

Analyze the impact of landmark Supreme Court cases like Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland on the federal government’s power. Consider how Chief Justice John Marshall’s decisions influenced the power balance between federal and state governments.

Explore the principles of Jeffersonian democracy, particularly Jefferson’s advocacy for a society based on agrarianism and individual rights while maintaining a complex relationship with the institution of slavery. Are these principles contradictory? Why or why not?