League of Nations

Ohio Content Standard: Grade 9, History 7-C,
D; Grade 10, History 6-C, D

Duration of Lesson: 1-2 Class Periods

Learning Objectives:

• Students will understand the intended purpose of the League of Nations.
• Students will examine the reasons for support of, and opposition
  to US participation in the League of Nations.

Summary: Using political cartoons students will
become familiar with the purpose of, and controversy surrounding the League of Nations.

Materials needed:

• Printout of lesson plan
• Copies of cartoons on paper and/or transparency
• Overhead projector
• Copies of Cartoon Analysis Worksheet

Pre-Assessment: List and discuss the causes of
World War One.

Instructional Steps:

1. Divide the students into three topical groups.
   Assign each group one of the following topics: Stereotype, Symbol, or
   Caricature.
2. Distribute copies of the
   cartoons to each member of the topical group so all cartoons are in use for
   each group. (example: Stereotype group will have all cartoons, as will
   Symbol, etc.)
3. Distribute Cartoon Analysis Worksheet to
   each student.
4. Students are to find examples of their
   assigned topic using each of the cartoons present in their group and fill in
   the appropriate space on the worksheet in Part I. (5-10 minutes)
5. Students are to then arrange themselves in a
   group according to their individual cartoon, thus forming 6-8 new groups
   centered on one specific cartoon.
6. Students are to complete Worksheet Part II
   using information from other members of their group.(5-10 minutes)
7. Individual groups will briefly present
   analysis of their cartoon to the class (Note: an overhead copy of the cartoon
   will expedite this process)

Post-Assessment Activity:

As a class, students will answer and discuss remaining
questions (Part III) on Cartoon Analysis Worksheet.

Extension Activities

• Students write an essay discussing the following topic:
  

  Would the US be better off leaving the United Nations today? Compare this to the role of the US in the League of Nations after World War One.

• Students create their own political cartoons portraying the role
  of the United States in the United Nations, using one or more of the following:
  Symbols, Caricatures, and/or Stereotypes.