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Summary and Objective
After several classroom discussions on anti-slavery issues, students will study the "American Anti-Slavery Almanac for 1838." The students will understand the importance and role of political cartoons during the anti-slavery movement. Students will observe and identify details in a political cartoon. Students will understand that there were people both in favor of and against slavery here in the North and how both sides are represented in the cartoon. Students will create their own anti-slavery cartoons.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Show students how to access the "American Anti-Slavery Almanac for 1838" found on the American Centuries website and how to use the features on the website to study it such as the Look Closer button, and the Show Text button. Give students time to explore the document.
Step 2.
After students have been given time to make their own observations, discuss what students have observed in the contents of this page of the almanac. Ask the students to explain what they think the purpose is for this illustration. Point out the symbols that indicate the professions of those who are propping the tree. For example, the clerical collar on the minister. What does the tree represent? Who is chopping it down and why?
Step 3.
Hold a discussion about why the abolitionists were so concerned about slavery even here in the North and how the cartoons were used to sway people's opinions. Discuss which groups might have been for slavery and which groups against. Have students reflect upon the moral and economical effects of slavery here in the North.
Step 4.
Students will break into small groups to create an anti-slavery cartoon using their prior knowledge of issues pertaining to slavery, as well as the cover illustration of this almanac. Remind students that the almanac uses more symbolic illustrations than words and that the pictures were what was speaking.
Step 5.
Have the students present their cartoons to the class and give a brief discussion of their illustrations.
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