American Government

This lesson will allow students to create a visual representation of the perceived threats to Europe during the Cold War. By placing cities on maps and evaluating the surrounding topography, the students will analyze the Soviet War Plan.

Students will read correspondence from Truman about desegregating the military as well as primary document background material about his experiences with minority groups during WWI. They will work in groups to create a mini-presentation.

Students will read primary documents from suffrage workers and female WWI contributors to discover their feelings toward not being allowed to vote.

Students will analyze primary documents, make decisions in the role of Harry S. Truman, and participate in group discussion and debate to understand the complex decision making that went into Truman's decision to desegregate the U.S. military.

Students will be placed in groups to analyze primary documents relating to civil rights during the post-WW1 to 1948 time period (both pro and con regarding desegregation). Together, they will create a timeline of the documents given.

Assignment is both individual and cooperative. Students will use the Norman Rockwell Post cover "Family Squabble". Students will work in pairs to analyze the painting using the attached worksheet.

This will be a paired learning activity. The students will work in pairs analyzing party platforms from 1948 and 2004 or 2008.

Students will take part in a lesson where they are shown pictures of certain leaders. When the students see the picture they will be asked to describe the person and any characteristics they can make out about that person.