Using both primary and secondary sources, students (working in small groups) will research and analyze the candidates and issues of the 1976, 1980, and 1984 campaigns, and create original campaign materials which convey and understanding of these elections.
This unit will help students understand the changes in politics after 1976.
- Understand the candidates and issues involved in the 1976, 1980, and 1984 elections.
- Analyze both primary and secondary sources.
- Evaluate the methods of persuasion used in politics.
- Kansas Social Studies– United States History Unit: Moving into the 21st Century
- Standard 1: Choices have consequences
- Standard 2: Individuals have rights and responsibilities
- Standard 3: Societies are shaped by beliefs, ideas, and diversity
- Standard 5: Relationships between people, places, and ideas, and environments are dynamic.
- Schlesinger, Arthur. Running for President: The Candidates and Their Images, 1900-1992. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994.
- Voss, Frederick. Packaging Presidents: 200 Years of Campaigns & Candidates. Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, 2008. p. 173 (helpful background)
1976
http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/
https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/platforms.php
http://millercenter.org/president#speeches
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/
https://www.loc.gov/publish/general/presidential-posters-gallery/
1980
http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/platforms.php
http://millercenter.org/president#speeches
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/
https://www.loc.gov/publish/general/presidential-posters-gallery/
1984
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/platforms.php
http://millercenter.org/president#speeches
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/
https://www.loc.gov/publish/general/presidential-posters-gallery/
Persuading the Public: The Presidential Elections of 1976, 1980, and 1984
Using both primary and secondary sources, students will research and analyze the candidates and issues of the 1976, 1980, and 1984 campaigns, and create original campaign materials which convey and understanding of these elections.
Directions:
1) Divide the class into groups and assign each group one campaign ticket to research:
1976 (D) Carter/Mondale
1976 (R) Ford/Dole
1980 (D) Carter/Mondale
1980 (R) Reagan/Bush
1984 (D) Mondale/ Ferraro
1984 (R) Reagan/Bush
2) Assign the students the corresponding chapter from Running for President edited by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., or a similar work to provide background for the election.
3) Students should research the major issues of the campaign using speeches, posters, television ads, etc.
Useful websites:
1976
http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/
https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/platforms.php
http://millercenter.org/president#speeches
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/
https://www.loc.gov/publish/general/presidential-posters-gallery/
1980
http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/platforms.php
http://millercenter.org/president#speeches
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/
https://www.loc.gov/publish/general/presidential-posters-gallery/
1984
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/platforms.php
http://millercenter.org/president#speeches
http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/
https://www.loc.gov/publish/general/presidential-posters-gallery/
4) Students will design two types of campaign materials, one which presents the candidate in a positive light, and one which presents the opposition in a negative light. Campaign materials can include the types of methods used in the assigned elections, such as television ads, posters, buttons, etc.
Grading: 50 points possible per campaign material (100 points total)
Campaign materials should:
a) Effectively use a combination of names, symbols, slogans, images, colors, etc.
b) Effectively use at least one or two positions, or opposition positions, to convey an understanding of the issues.
c) Be accurate, appropriate, and free from errors
Grading Sheet:
Campaign Material #1 –Positive approach
______/ 20 Visual Appeal Campaign materials effectively use a combination of names, symbols, slogans,
images, colors, etc.
______/20 Content Campaign materials effectively use at least one or two positions, or opposition
positions, to convey an understanding of the issues.
______/10 Accuracy Campaign materials should be accurate, appropriate, and free from errors.
______/50 Points Possible
Campaign Material #2 –Negative approach
______/ 20 Visual Appeal Campaign materials effectively use a combination of names, symbols, slogans,
images, colors, etc.
______/20 Content Campaign materials effectively use at least one or two positions, or opposition
positions, to convey an understanding of the issues.
______/10 Accuracy Campaign materials should be accurate, appropriate, and free from errors.
______/50 Points Possible
______/100 total points