November Warriors is a four part series documenting the history of American presidential campaigns, from George Washington to the modern political arena. The personalities of the candidates, their campaign platforms, and the historical development of American political process is brought to life through art, location shots, interviews, and news reels. Each of the four programs can be viewed separately. It is recommended for family viewing, and for use in social studies, political science, and history courses. Students should be familiar with the vocabulary terms listed at the top of each study guide before viewing to fully understand certain aspects of the programs. Interviews include commentary by historians Eric Foner, Arthur Schlesinger, Steve Gillon, and Douglas Brinkley.

Vocabulary

• partisan
• monarchy
• atheist
• factions
• rhetoric
• aristocracy
• Federalists
• ideology
• Whig
• republican
• electoral college
• watershed

Discussion Questions

1. Why did Washington not campaign for the presidency? How did he feel about his responsibilities? Do you think Americans would have accepted him as king if he had chosen to create a monarchy?
2. Why was Washington inaugurated in New York City ? What important precedents did he set as chief executive? What is the difference between a precedent and a law?
3. Why did Washington fear political parties, thinking them the "death knell of the Republic?" Why did people come to see political parties as important to democracy?
4. Why didn't "gentlemen" campaign for themselves? Who campaigned for them? What does this say about the political culture of post-Revolutionary America?
5. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were very close friends during the Revolutionary War era. What turned them into political opponents? Why was the transfer of power from Adams to Jefferson considered an important political watershed in American history?
6. What was the role of the press in the early years of the republic? Did newspapers try to remain impartial? Why or why not?
7. What did Andrew Jackson symbolize to many Americans? What made him different from earlier candidates? How could a wealthy slave-owner be seen as a "common man"? Why was he called "Old Hickory?"
8. Why was the campaign between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson so bitter? What did these candidates represent to their supporters? What did they represent to their enemies? What role did Martin Van Buren play in Jackson's campaign?
9. Explain the slogans "Tippecanoe and Tyler too!" and "Hard Cider and Log Cabin." What is the importance of a campaign slogan? What was the importance of music to the Harrison campaign? Why was Harrison criticized when he campaigned for himself?

Research Projects

1. Pick a presidential campaign covered in this program. Create a poster that shows each candidate, the date of the campaign, and what they stood for. Indicate what issues helped win the Presidency for the victorious candidate.
2. Design a campaign poster supporting one candidate. Include negative information about your opponent as well as positive points for your candidate.
3. Research the Adams/ Jackson campaign. What did John Qunicy Adams want the federal government to be doing? What was the role of the federal government from Jackson's point of view? Contrast and compare these two candidates in a short essay