Indiana Social Studies 8.H.8
The Standard
Compare and contrast the views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, and explain how their differences caused the development of political parties, affecting the nation for the future.
2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students compare Jefferson's and Hamilton's views on the economy and federal power. They explain how those disagreements drew supporters into rival parties and shaped later debates.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student places Hamilton with the national bank and a stronger federal government, and Jefferson with farming and more state power. They explain how the bank fight helped form the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may reverse who backed the national bank or think Jefferson opposed every federal action. They may think the Constitution created the parties, or confuse Jefferson's party with today's Republican Party.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Who supported a national bank, and who opposed it? Explain how that fight helped create two parties.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs cards labeled national bank, small farmers, factories, and state power; have them place each under Jefferson or Hamilton and justify their choices.
Ask: 'Should Congress create a national bank?' Have students write one argument as Jefferson and one as Hamilton.
Run a party-building game: teams recruit classmates to the Federalists or Democratic-Republicans using a national bank, tariffs, and state control of taxes.
Give students a USDA lunch rule and a state lunch rule; ask who sets each and how that echoes debates over federal power.
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