Political Cartoon War of 1812-Were British Actions Humane?

Students will delve into the minds and attitudes of Americans at the beginning of the War of 1812 by analyzing a primary source document of a political cartoon. The lesson begins with a warm up activity as students debate what unites people to go to war and what tools are used to unify feelings about war. Next, the class learns of the purpose and tools of political cartoons. Additional time is spend learning how to “read” a political cartoon. To begin the analysis, students identify details from the cartoon before sharing their details with a partner in a rally robin style. Pairs then hypothesize about the location and time period of the cartoon using evidence from the image. Next, pairs work together to complete the analysis questions for the cartoon. The class will read the background information for the history that possibly led to the creation of the political cartoon. The class will then discuss the purpose behind the cartoon and students will complete the lesson by choosing to write a mini editorial about the effect of the cartoon or may choose to write additional stanzas to the poetry on the cartoon.

When you purchase this activity, you will receive:

-Teacher Directions

-Power point to guide instruction

-Warm Up Activity

-Handout, Political Cartoons

-Handout, How to “Read” a Political Cartoon

-Political Cartoon, “A Scene on the Frontier . . .”

-Analysis Questions, A Scene on the Frontier . . .”, Version A and B

-Answer Key to Analysis Questions

-Handout, Battle of Fort Dearborn

-Two Options for Processing Assignments: Mini Letter to the Editor or Poem for the Cartoon

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