Teacher: Caryn Miller Kent Place School Grades 9-12

Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will be using political cartoons to analyze the public view of the McCarthy Era, and the government’s “hunt” for communists. This will give students a better idea of the impact of McCarthy on the everyday person, and provides an additional way of looking at this important issue.

Objectives: TLWBAT

Identify McCarthyism and the Black List. Analyze primary sources created during the McCarthy era. Evaluate a hypothetical scenario and compose a written response. Make connections between their knowledge of the Cold War and the

message seen in a political cartoon created at the time.

NJCCS 6.1.12.A.12.a Analyze ideological differences and other factors that

contributed to the Cold War and to United States involvement in conflicts intended to contain communism, including the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War.

6.1.12.D.12.b Analyze efforts to eliminate communism, such as McCarthyism, and their impact on individual civil liberties.

Common Core ELA CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.2 Determine the central ideas or

information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.9 Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.

Materials paper pencils/pens whiteboard marker Political Cartoons

(http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/herblocks-history/fire.html) Cartoon Analysis Worksheet (optional)

(

http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/worksheets/cartoon_analysis_worksheet.pdf)

Herblock Political Cartoon Analysis Worksheets (http://multimedialearningllc.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/herblock-cartoon-analysis.pdf)

Power Point presentation Computer with projector and internet connection Video clip from M*A*S*H (https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=DsAsbskRst4&feature=youtu.be)

Essential Question: How can fear impact people’s freedom?

ProceduresOpening Activity

1. Have students come in and complete the following writing assignment:

a. Do Now→ Please respond to the following scenario in 4 or more sentences: At the beginning of class tomorrow, a teacher comes in and hands you a note informing you that you have been found guilty of stealing (something you know you have not done). This note provides no proof, does not make the accuser known, and tells you that you will be suspended. Five minutes later, this same teacher turns to you and informs you that, if you name the student(s) who helped you, that you will receive no punishment at all. How would you feel? How would you react? What would you do (if anything) regarding your suspected coconspirators? What do you think of this kind of justice?

Main Lesson 1. Discuss McCarthyism and related topics using Power

Point presentation 1. Rise of Senator Joseph McCarthy2. McCarthy Hearings

2. Have students quickly analyze Herblock political cartoons on power point

1. You could use the Cartoon Analysis Worksheet as a guide for what they should be identifying (optional)

Closure1. Have students complete the Herblock 2. Discussion

a. Describe the action in the cartoon.i. Men from the Illinois American Legion are hiding in

the forest spying on Girl Scouts who are roasting

marshmallows. They have a book titled “How to detect subversion and witchcraft”.

b. Who is the man pictured on the flag?i. McCarthy

c. What was the man on the flag trying to “root out” of America?

i. communismd. What is the artist’s position on the event portrayed? Back

up your position with at least one piece of proof from the cartoon.

i. He seems to believe that spying on Girl Scouts is ridiculous. This is indicated through his quote that the girls have marshmallows as weapons.

e. Can you think of any contemporary examples where this type of hysteria resulted in an unfair depiction of someone or something?

3. Finish by talking about McCarthy’s downfall4. Show video clip from M*A*S*H

Time on Clock

Activity Students are Doing Teacher is Doing

0-10 min Opening Activity

Responding to Question; Discussing Answer

Attendance; walk around to answer any questions; Facilitate discussion.

11-16 min Mini Lecture Taking notes; discussing content

Providing information; answering student questions

17-22 min Quick Cartoon Analysis

Analyzing cartoons; possibly using Cartoon Analysis Worksheet

Facilitating analysis, discussion.

23-38 min Herblock Cartoon Worksheet

Analyzing cartoon; answering questions; discussion with class

Monitoring activities by walking around the room; facilitating discussion

39-42 min McCarthy’s downfall

Taking notes; discussing content

Providing information; answering student questions

43-45 min Video Clip Watching video Monitoring students; answering questions.

Modifications for different learners The visual medium of the political cartoon will provide students with

reading difficulty the opportunity to become more engaged in the subject matter.

If there are English Language Learners (ELLs) in the class, the teacher should pair them up with native English speakers who can help them with the political cartoons.

Assessment: Formative, informal: in-class discussion Formative: Political Cartoon worksheet

Homework None

Cartoon Analysis Worksheet

Level 1Visuals Words (Not all cartoons include

words)1. List the objects or people you

see in the cartoon.1. Identify the cartoon caption

and/or title.

2. Locate three words or phrases used by the cartoon to identify objects or people within the cartoon.

3. Record any important dates or numbers that appear in the cartoon.

Level 2Visuals Words

2. Which of the objects on your list are symbols?

3. What do you think each symbol means?

4. Which words or phrases in the cartoon appear to be the most significant? Why do you think so?

5. List adjectives that describe the emotions portrayed in the cartoon.

Level 3A. Describe the action taking place in the cartoon.

B. Explain how the words in the cartoon clarify the symbols.

C. Explain the message of the cartoon.

D. What special interest groups would agree/disagree with the cartoon’s message? Why?

Name_________________________________________________________________

McCarthysim Political Cartoon

Herblock Cartoon Analysis1. Describe the action in the cartoon.2. Who is the man pictured on the flag?3. What was the man on the flag trying to “root out” of America?4. What is the artist’s position on the event portrayed? Back up your position with at least one piece of proof from the cartoon.5. Can you think of any contemporary examples where this type of hysteria resulted in an unfair depiction of someone or something?

AnswersBackground for teacher:

Here is what the cartoon is based on: In the summer of 1954, a branch of the American Legion denounced the Girl Scouts, calling the "one world" ideas advocated in their publications "un-American." This was clearly a result of the McCarthy trials.

1. Men from the Illinois American Legion are hiding in the forest spying on Girl Scouts who are roasting marshmellows. They have a book titled “How to detect subversion and witchcraft”. 2. Senator Joseph McCarthy3. Communism4. He seems to believe that spying on Girl Scouts is ridiculous. This is indicated through his quote that the girls have marshmellows as weapons.5. There are many possible answers including: after 9/11 french fries were called “freedom fries”