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The acquisition and the later exploration of Louisiana showed clearly that Jefferson was capable of vigorous action in pursuing the national interest.During his two terms of presidency，the relations between the US and Britain were becoming worse.The British were not reconciled to the loss of their thirteen colonies.Using Canada as the base，they always challenged to battle with the young Republic.British warships were often placed outside American harbors to keep a watch on shipping that came and went.At the same time，in order to find more men for the crews of its large navy，Britain began to impress great numbers of sailors from seized American ships.

Americans had always been angry at this British practice.This anger reached its peak in 1807when one British warship attacked and boarded an American ship，killing or wounding 21men and impressing four sailors.Jefferson had to take action，and in order to avoid war for which he knew the United States was ill prepared，he persuaded Congress to pass an Embargo Act.This Act forbade all ships，except foreign ones without cargo，to leave American ports.After that，the relations between the two countries became even worse.In 1812James Madison，the fourth President of the US，asked Congress to declare war on Britain.The war started in June of the same year.It lasted for three years and ended in another American victory over the British.This war is usually known as the Second War of Independence in American history.The war had one important result：the strengthening of national unity and patriotism.And it was only after this war that the United States was able to effect the change of a semi-colonial economy into a really independent national economy.

1.Shays’Rebellion（谢司起义，1786-1787）：a rebellion led by Daniel Shays，a veteran of the Revolution.The rebels were mainly the Revolutionary War veterans.After the war they got no benefit from the war but were losing their farms through mortgage foreclosures and tax delinquencies.They demanded cheap paper money，lighter taxes，and a suspension of mortgage foreclosures.The rebellion was suppressed in Jan.1787.Daniel Shays，who believed that be was fighting anew against tyranny，was condemned to death but was later pardoned.

2.James Monroe（1758-1831）：American statesman，he fought in the War of Independence，and after the war he studied law under Thomas Jefferson.He was minister to France（1794-1796），the Secretary of State（1811-1817），and the fifth US President（1817-1825）.

3.Napoleon Bonaparte（1769-1821）：Born in Corsica and educated in a France military school，he joined the French army when the French Revolution broke out.He became First Consul for life in 1802，and was made Emperor in 1804.In 1812he invaded Russia and lost almost an entire army.After more losses to the allies，he abdicated in April 1814，and was exiled to Elba.Hearing of French discontent with LouisⅩⅧ，Napoleon returned to France on March 1，1815.After his loss at Waterloo，he abdicated again and was exiled to St.Helena，where he died.

Ⅰ.Choose the correct answer.

1.The Confederation created in 1781was a________.

A.very loose union of states

B.very powerful central government

C.very firm league of states

D.weak government without the legislative power

2.Who was called the Father of the US Constitution？

A.George Washington.　　　B.Benjamin Franklin.

C.Alexander Hamilton.　　 D.James Madison.

3.According to the text，the Constitution was framed on the following ideas except that________.

A.there should be three branches of government：one to make laws，another to execute them，and a third to settle questions of law

B.the three branches should be able to check and balance the other

C.the national government is a government of the people，and not of states alone

D.the new government should impose its authority on the people through states

4.Those who supported the Constitution and preferred a strong national government were called________.

A.Democrats　　　B.Republicans

C.Federalists　　D.Antifederalists

5.How many states were needed to ratify the Constitution？

A.Eight.　　　B.Nine.

C.Eleven.　　 D.Thirteen.

6.Which is incorrect to comment on the Federalist Papers？

A.They support the ratification of the Constitution.

B.They defend the principles of the Constitution.

C.They help dispel the fears of a national authority.

D.They spell out the people’s right.

7.The amendment of the Constitution requires the approval of at least________of the states.

A.one-third　　　　　B.two-thirds

C.three-fourths　　　D.three-fifths

8.When the Second War of Independence broke out in 1812，the US president was________.

A.Thomas Jefferson　　　B.James Madison

C.John Adams　　　　　　D.James Monroe

1.Under the Articles of Confederation the national government consisted of onlya________；it had no separate ________and ________divisions.The state government was left the exclusive powers to regulate commerce and________their citizens.

2.The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in________.________delegates from all states except ________attended the opening session.The president of the convention was________.

3.The Antifederalists________the constitution and prefermd a more________federal system of government.

4.George Washington was elected unanimouslyas the first US President in________.The first Vice-President was________，the first Secretary of Treasurywas，and the first Secretaryof State was________.

5.The most glorious achievement of Jefferson as President was the________，which was about________square miles.This Purchase ________the area of the then United States.

6.The War of 1812is also called the________.This war lasted________ years and ended in another American victory.An important result of the war was the strengtheningof national ________and________.And it was after this war that the US was able to make the change of a________ economy into a really ________national economy.

Ⅲ.Questions for Discussion.

1.What is confederation？

2.Compare the powers of the governments under the Articles of Confederation and under the Constitution.