The Louisiana Purchase and rapid western expansion were crucial developments during the early republic. But attention there can misleadingly suggest that the United States rapidly assumed the shape we know today. Focusing on how the capital city of the federal government changed in the early years of the nation reminds us of the limited nature of the early central government. Like so many other elements of the new nation, even the most basic features of the capital city were unsettled. President Washington first took office in New York City, but, when reelected in 1792, the capital had already moved to Philadelphia where it would remain for a decade. Fittingly, Jefferson was the first president to be inaugurated in the new and lasting capital of Washington, D.C. in March 1801.

The activities of a literate slave named Gabriel in Richmond, Virginia, present a final critical view of Jeffersonian America. At the same time Gabriel also shows how fully African Americans embraced central currents of American politics and culture. Gabriel remains a difficult figure to fully reconstruct from surviving historical evidence. In fact, his last name is not definitively known, though he is usually referred to as Gabriel Prosser, after the name of the man who owned him.

21Things4Students is an online resource to help students improve their technology proficiency as they prepare for success in the real world. Teachers value 21Things4Students because it's experiential, relevant, applicable and adaptable. Students say they love this class!

Students learn how to edit digital images: crop, resize, add effects, create a creative commons license, respect copyright and plagiarism

Use a selfie or photo of yourself to create a digital media self portrait

Gather, evaluate, and use digital images and information to produce an innovative product

Students learn to express themselves through presentations as an alternative to writing with a focus on Collaboration

Students work in small groups with each group member responsible for creating two slides for the group presentation.

Students learn to use Google maps, then explore virtual map resources for geolocation to chart a course from home to school, and the the difference between absolute and relative location.

Learn to use a variety of Study tools (Quizlet, Spelling City, Khan Academy, WolframAlpha, Text Compactor, Evernote, Educlipper, Student News Articles)

Students create a music playlist spreadsheet, learning to sort, rename, freeze rows, delete and undo, and add sheets