2010 Alief History Challenge Document Based Question
Grade 8 Document-Based Question
DBQ Theme: The Impact of Political Parties
Team # __________
Staple this packet to your essay and
turn them in together.
DIRECTIONS:
This task is based on the accompanying documents. Some of these documents have been
edited to help you with the task. The essay is designed to test your ability to work with historical
documents and your knowledge regarding the development and impact of political parties.
Carefully analyze the documents. Your responses should help you to write the essay.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
Before leaving office, George Washington sounded a warning about political parties and their
potential to divide and destroy America.
TASK A: Using information from the documents and your knowledge of social studies, answer
the questions that follow each document. Your answers to the questions will help you write
the essay.
TASK B: Write an essay that addresses the following question:
To what extent was George Washington correct in his warning about political parties?
Use the following guidelines:
 Write a well organized essay that includes a strong introduction, body (topic and
closing sentence for each paragraph), and conclusion that defends your position
on the question above.

Use you knowledge, evidence from the documents and the answers to the
questions in Part A to support your response which should:



Evaluate Washington’s concerns against later events involving political
parties to determine if he was correct.
Discuss the reasons political parties developed in the United States
Limit your argument to political parties and issues prior to 1870.

Do not simply repeat the contents of the documents

Include details, examples or reasons to develop your ideas

Utilize specific related outside information (your knowledge of social studies)
Alief History Challenge 2010
Grade 8 Document Based Question
2010 Alief History Challenge Document Based Question
Document 1
I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with
particular reference to founding them on geographical discriminations. Let
me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you, in the most
solemn manner, against the baneful effects of the spirit of party,
generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature,
having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists
under different shapes, in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled
or repressed; but in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest
rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. The alternate dominion of one
faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party
dissension, which, in different ages and countries, has perpetrated the
most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism; but this leads at
length to a more formal and permanent despotism.
George Washington – Farewell Address- 1796
1. What does Washington mean by the spirit of party?
2. Why does Washington see parties as a danger?
Alief History Challenge 2010
Grade 8 Document Based Question
2010 Alief History Challenge Document Based Question
Document 2
Mr. Jefferson with very little reserve manifests his dislike of the funding
system generally; calling in question the expediency of funding a debt at
all…In various conversations with foreigners as well as citizens, he has
thrown censure on my principles of government and on my measures of
administration. He has predicted that the people would not long tolerate my
proceedings and that I should not long maintain my ground. Some of those,
whom he immediately and notoriously moves, have even whispered
suspicions of the rectitude of my motives and conduct. In the question
concerning the Bank he not only delivered an opinion in writing against its
constitutionality and expediency; but he did it in a stile and manner which I
felt as partaking of asperity and ill humor towards me. As one of the trustees
of the sinking fund, I have experienced in almost every leading question
opposition from him. When any turn of things in the community has
threatened either odium or embarrassment to me, he has not been able to
suppress the satisfaction which it gave him.
Alexander Hamilton - Letter to Edward Carrington. May 1792
1. What is the tone of Hamilton’s letter?
____________________________________________________________________________
2. How does Hamilton view Jefferson and his actions?
Alief History Challenge 2010
Grade 8 Document Based Question
2010 Alief History Challenge Document Based Question
Document 3
Source: National Atlas of the United States http://www.nationalatlas.gov/
1. When comparing the maps, what trend do you see emerging after 1792?
Alief History Challenge 2010
Grade 8 Document Based Question
2010 Alief History Challenge Document Based Question
Document 4
Tis curious to observe the anticipations of the different parties. One side
appears to believe that there is a serious plot to overturn state
Governments and substitute monarchy to the present republican system.
The other side firmly believes that there is a serious plot to overturn the
General Government and elevate the separate power of the states upon
its ruins. Both sides may be equally wrong and their mutual jealousies
may be materially causes of the appearances which mutually disturb
them, and sharpen them against each other.
Alexander Hamilton - Letter to George Washington, August 1792
1. Who is Hamilton referring to in his descriptions?
2. Does he see himself as part of the problem? How do you know?
Alief History Challenge 2010
Grade 8 Document Based Question
2010 Alief History Challenge Document Based Question
Document 5
Source: Picture History. http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/6867
This 1856 illustration by Winslow Homer depicts the brutal caning of Massachusetts
Senator Charles Sumner by Preston Brooks, a Congressman from South Carolina.
Brooks was committed to the southern code of chivalry that sanctioned the use of
violence to avenge a personal insult. Sumner gave a speech insulting slavery and
Brooks' cousin Senator Andrew Pickens Butler.
1. What does this cartoon imply about party politics?
2. At this point in history, where was the political division?
Alief History Challenge 2010
Grade 8 Document Based Question
2010 Alief History Challenge Document Based Question
Document 6
Although the Democratic-Republican party was in power in Massachusetts in 1812,
it had little hope of retaining its control in the approaching elections. To save
something for the party Governor Elbridge Gerry signed a reapportionment bill to
construct new senatorial election districts that consolidated the Federalist vote. An
exasperated editor hung a map showing one of these districts. Gilbert Stuart, the
painter, added head, wings, and claws to the outline, noting, "That will do for a
salamander." "Better say Gerrymander," the editor responded.
Compton's Encyclopedia Online v3.0, 1998 http://www.Comptons.com/encyclopedia/ARTICLES/0050/00734720_A.html
1. What is Gerrymandering? Why would it be done?
2. How does the reapportionment bill restrict the rights of some voters?
Mexican
Cession
3. How does Gerrymandering contribute to the divisive nature of political parties?
Alief History Challenge 2010
Grade 8 Document Based Question
2010 Alief History Challenge Document Based Question
Document 7
"The only evidences brought by the supporters of this bill [ i.e., the Sedition
Act] consist of writings expressing an opinion that certain measures of
government have been dictated by an unwise policy, or by improper
motives, and that some of them are unconstitutional. This 'bill and its
supporters suppose, in fact, that whoever dislikes the measures of
administration and of a temporary majority in Congress, and shall, either
by speaking or writing, express his disapprobation and his want of
confidence in the men now in power, is seditious, is an enemy, not of
administration but of the Constitution, and is liable to punishment. That
principle . . . was subversive of the principles of the Constitution itself. If
you put the press under any restraint in respect to the measures of
members of government; if you thus deprive the people of the means of
obtaining information of their conduct, you in fact render their right of
electing nugatory-, and this bill must be considered only as a weapon used
by a party now in power in order to perpetuate their authority and preserve
their present places."
Albert Gallatin, Democratic-Republican congressman from Pennsylvania, speech in the
House of Representatives on the proposed Sedition Act (July 5, 1798)
1. According to Gallatin, what was the purpose of the Sedition Act?
2. Why does Gallatin see the Sedition Act as dangerous to American liberty?
Alief History Challenge 2010
Grade 8 Document Based Question
2010 Alief History Challenge Document Based Question
Document 8
"That . . . [internal] dissensions have taken place is certain, and even
among those who are nearest to you in the administration. To no one
have they given deeper concern than myself. . . .
"That I have utterly, in my private conversations, disapproved of the
system of the Secretary of the Treasury [i.e. Hamilton's economic
program], I acknowledge and avow; and this was not merely a
speculative difference. His system flowed from principles adverse to
liberty, and was calculated to undermine and demolish the Republic,
by creating an influence of his department over the members of the
Legislature. I saw his influence actually produced, and its first fruits
to be the establishment of the great outlines of his project by the
votes of the very persons who, having swallowed his bait, were laying
themselves out to profit by his plans . . .
Thomas Jefferson, secretary of state, letter to George Washington
(September 9, 1792)
1. Why does Jefferson see Hamilton as dangerous?
2. What does he accuse Hamilton of doing?
Mexican
Cession
Alief History Challenge 2010
Grade 8 Document Based Question