Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

Welcome to our 11th Annual Historic Dinner Party

Proudly sponsored by Cornerstone Academy

Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

We would like to welcome all of our very special guests. We are very excited about having each and every one of you here tonight.

Introductions will begin shortly.

As each of you stand to introduce yourself, please tell us a few of your greatest accomplishments, as well as a little bit about yourself.

Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

We will begin with the first President of the United States, Mr. George Washington.

After Mr. Washington has gone we will proceed around his table. Once that table has finished, we will proceed around the room from table to table in a clockwise manner.

Thank you all for attending today.

Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

As you enjoy your dinner, and before our moderators pose their questions, we would like each table to discuss important issues with each other.

To this end, you will find a paper in the middle of your table. It contains a list of topics and questions we would like all of you at the table to discuss.

Our moderators will then have one person at the table tell the rest of the gathering the topics their table discussed and a general summarization of the conversations. Please select a spokesperson as you are discussing the contents of the paper.

Please enjoy your dinner and conversation.

Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

Let us now hear a report from each of the tables concerning their conversations during this first part of dinner.

We will then continue with specific questions, in order to promote discussion and debate.

Some questions will be directed towards specific people, some will be for the whole group to discuss, and some will ask you to discuss a topic at your table and then report on that discussion.

Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

Much of the Southern economy was built around agriculture and slavery. We would like hear from our former slaves, abolitionists and slave owners as to how they feel about this system.

This question is for Alexander Hamilton, Henry Clay, & Andrew Jackson. Explain your position on the National Bank. Others may share their opinions as well.

Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

President Jefferson, your most lasting act as president was the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory. What was your motivation? Many of you have varying opinions on westward expansion and the issues it presents. Let’s hear from you as well.

We’d like to hear from those involved in the “Bloodless Revolution”, more commonly known as the Election of 1800. What are your thoughts on the outcome and/or the future appointment of Federalist judges?

Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

Earlier in the party, we asked you to discuss the rights of women. The issue over abolishing slavery has resulted in many calling for equal rights for women. If your viewpoints weren’t shared, we would like to give you the opportunity now to share on this issue.

During the first 40 years of our country, we faced many foreign challenges. We would love to hear from some of our great leaders about the policies they created to deal with these issues, including things such as neutrality, the War of 1812, the Monroe Doctrine and the Embargo Act.

Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

One of the pressing issues of the time was the debate over federal versus state power. Let’s begin with Chief Justice John Marshall. Many of your rulings increased federal power. Could you explain why you feel Judicial Review is necessary? Let’s hear other opinions on this or any other Marshall landmark decisions as well.

We’d like to hear comments from everybody about the Tariff of 1828. Do you think it was a great way to encourage US economic growth, or do you think of it as the “Tariff of Abominations?” Please also explain why.

Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

The Nullification Crisis made clear the dangers of nullification. Madison and Jefferson, do you still think the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were the right course of action? We’d like to open this up to anyone else who has an opinion about nullification.

We’d like to ask President Andrew Jackson why he felt the Indian Removal Act was necessary? What do others think of his answer?

Historic Web Chat

Your host tonight: Why It Matters Foundation

We’re sorry but that is all the time we have tonight for discussion. We wish to thank all of our participants for the excellent questions and discussion of the various topics.

We hope that all of you have enjoyed this evening and we hope to see you again for another dinner party some time soon.

Please remember to tip the wait staff on your way out. You never know… it could help your overall grade!!