The Election of 1912

Content Standard: Grade 10, History 4-C

Duration of Lesson: 1-2 Class Periods

Objectives:

• Students will analyze the Presidential Election of 1912
• Students will examine the two party system and the role of third
  parties in said system.
• Students will identify the "hot button" issues in the 1912
  presidential election
• Students will evaluate the role of the media in the portrayal of
  candidates in an election

Summary: Using political cartoons students will
become familiar with the candidates, issues, results, and interpretations of
the presidential election of 1912.

Materials needed:

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

Pre-Assessment:

Identify the
following with their symbolic meaning:

• Donkey
• Elephant
• Moose

Identify the three main candidates
in the 1912 Presidential Election

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:

Have students:

• List examples of third party candidates in recent
  presidential elections.
• Give examples of how a third party candidate in a recent
  election has affected the outcome.
• Find an example of an editorial cartoon portraying a third
  party candidate.