League of Nations | History Teaching Institute

Lesson Plan

Grade 9, History 7-C, D; Grade 10, History 6-C, D

1-2 Class Periods

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.

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

List and discuss the causes of World War One.

Divide the students into three topical groups. Assign each group one of the following topics: Stereotype, Symbol, orCaricature.
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.)
Distribute Cartoon Analysis Worksheet to each student.
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)
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.
Students are to complete Worksheet Part II using information from other members of their group.(5-10 minutes)
Individual groups will briefly present analysis of their cartoon to the class (Note: an overhead copy of the cartoon will expedite this process)

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

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.