History Lessons By Teachers

Propaganda

Created 23 June 2004 by Susan Phelon

Grade Level(s): high school (10 - 12)
Historical Era(s): New Nation 1750 - 1800, Expansion 1800 - 1860, Civil War Era 1860 - 1880, Progressive Era 1880 - 1914, Two World Wars 1914 - 1945, Contemporary Era 1945 to present
Content Area(s): English Language Arts, US History, Civics/Government

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"Union Republican Ticket"

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"Keep them smiling"- WWI broadside

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"5 Men Shot in the Streets of Monson!!!"

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"Nine and Ten Years Old- They can earn 40c. in a ten-hour day, but they cannot read."

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"Bloody Butchery, By The British Troops; Or The Runaway Fight Of The Regulars"

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"Farmers Help the Belgians"

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Engraving "The Bloody Massacre perpetrated on King Street, Boston on March 5th, 1770"

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" A Proclamation For A Day Of Public Thanksgiving And Praise"

Summary and Objective

Students will, after defining the word "propaganda" and studying, evaluating and discussing various pictures and posters, understand how propaganda has been used throughout history to evoke certain behaviors and emotions. They will also understand that these pictures and posters must be evaluated in their own historical context.

Teaching Plan

Step 1. Students will be broken down into small groups and will be instructed to brainstorm the word "propaganda". Once they have agreed upon a definition, they are to look up the word in the dictionary and refine their definition.

Step 2. Teacher will then use one of the pictures/posters to model the process of "looking" to determine what behavior or emotion the author/artist was trying to produce in the audience. This will include emphasizing that placing the item in its proper historical context will be necessary to best make this determination.

Step 3. Groups will be given an item and will begin the process. Teacher will move around through the groups to monitor and help.

Step 4. After about 10 -15 minutes, each group will show their item to the class and present their results. The class will be able to ask questions and contribute their own suggestions.

Step 5. Homework will be assigned: Each student will choose a topic from current affairs, decide what they wish their audience to do or feel, and then design their own poster or picture.

Step 6. Students' homework will be graded as a quiz according to the following criteria: 1. Project was turned in on date due; 2. Topic chosen is current; 3. Picture/poster promotes a specific adgenda; 4. Picture/poster is persuasive. Extra credit will be given for originality/creativity.