Students can further explore the context surrounding the Jay Treaty in the George Washington and the Proclamation of Neutrality Decision Point, The Jay Treaty Narrative, and in the excerpt from the treaty itself in The Jay Treaty, 1795 Primary Source. The Alexander Hamilton and the National Bank Narrative and The National Bank Debate Lesson provide more context on the founding of the bank.

Objectives:

In this lesson, developed by and included with the permission of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, students will use background essays and three political cartoons from contemporary artists to engage in a deeper understanding of major events of George Washington’s presidency.

Lesson Objectives:

• Students will use political cartoons as a device for understanding three of the major issues that affected Washington’s presidency: the president’s title, the Jay Treaty, and the existence of a national bank.

Resources:

Access this lesson and accompanying materials on Mount Vernon’s website: https://www.mountvernon.org/education/lesson-plans/lesson/using-political-cartoons-to-understand-history/.