tlp_11_ayoerger

Ashley Yoerger Teacher Lesson Page (Student Side)
Ashley Primary Source Page

Ashley TEACHER SIDE page

Lesson Plan
US1.20 – Explain the evolution and function of political parties, including their role in federal, state, and local elections.
 * State Standards:**


 * Grade Level:** High school – World History

How has immigration contributed to the narrowing and expansion of American civic ideals?
 * Essential Question:**

How have various groups of immigrants gained political power in the city of Boston?
 * Lesson Question:**

During the 19th and 20th centuries, thousands of immigrants arrived and settled in the city of Boston. These immigrants came from all over the world, but in our lesson we will be focusing specifically on the Irish and the Italians. The city they came to was inhabited primarily by Protestant, white Americans whose own immigration heritage was a distant memory. The new citizens of Boston formed their own neighborhoods, established their own churches and schools, and attempted to blend the Old World with the New. Over time, some even became major players in Boston’s politics while others did not. In this lesson, you will examine political cartoons and analyze newspaper articles to determine which groups became politically active. You will also answer the question, “How did they enter politics?” If a group did not, you will explain why that occurred.
 * Introduction:**

You will be responsible for researching each group’s arrival and settlement patterns to determine whether or not they took part in city politics. You will then have to explain how they either did or did not gain political power. You should also make connections to their native culture in relation to the World History I curriculum. This will help to explain the groups’ motivations upon arrival to the United States. Lesson Experiences: The groups will examine today’s politics by researching (in the library) current Boston politicians and their cultural backgrounds. They will answer: Day 4:
 * Task:**
 * Day1:**
 * 1) 1. We will review the evolution of Irish and Italian governments as studied in the World History I curriculum (Medieval and Renaissance history). We will answer the following questions using past notes, homework, and readings:
 * 2) How did the fall of the Roman Empire affect the nation politically, religiously, militarily, and economically?
 * 3) How did the nation emerge from the Dark Ages? Was it able to form a functioning, unified government? Why or why not?
 * 4) What was the nation’s relationship with the Catholic Church?
 * 5) What was the nation’s role in the Protestant Revolution?
 * 6) You will then be divided into groups of four to answer the following questions:
 * 7) Why do you think the Irish and the Italians would want to immigrate to the United States? Specifically to Boston?
 * 8) Do you predict any religious tension between the Americans and the immigrants? If so, what? Why?
 * 9) Do you predict any political tension between the Americans and the immigrants? If so, what? Why?
 * Day 2:**
 * 1) The groups will examine the political cartoons showing the Americans’ view of Irish immigrants. They will take notes on the following:
 * 2) How are the Americans portrayed?
 * 3) How are the immigrants portrayed?
 * 4) What stereotypes does the artist focus on?
 * 5) How do you think this would affect racial and religious tensions within the Boston?
 * 6) The groups will then read newspaper articles about James Michael Curley’s political campaigns and answer the following:
 * 7) What are Curley’s platforms?
 * 8) How does this reflect the city’s political climate?
 * 9) How did Curley gain popularity with his constituents?
 * 10) The groups will then examine the life and works of George Scigliano, using excerpts from a secondary source. They will answer:
 * 11) How were the Italian neighborhoods organized?
 * 12) What issues either helped or prevented the Boston Italians from unifying politically?
 * 13) Were there any powerful politicians of Italian decent as you saw with Curley?
 * Day 3:**
 * 1) Name three prominent politicians. What are their offices?
 * 2) What are their cultural backgrounds?
 * 3) How does this reflect the immigrants’ experiences at the turn of the 20th century?
 * 1) The groups will combine the information from days 1, 2, and 3 to create a presentation.
 * 2) Did the Irish and the Italians enter into Boston politics?
 * 3) If so, how? What issues helped them to do so?
 * 4) If no, why not? What issues prevented them from doing so?
 * 5) What primary sources support your argument?
 * 6) What secondary sources support your argument?
 * 7) The groups will then present their findings in a discussion – style setting.

The influence, or lack thereof, of active political immigrants has drastically affected both Boston and the nation. The issues surrounding immigrant participation reflected the white Protestants’ views of these new citizens and exhibit the struggles the city and nation have faced. By studying this point in history, the students are able to make connections between the World History I curriculum and their present lives. They are able to see how the formation of government in the Middle Ages and Renaissance affected immigration at the turn of the 20th century and our current political climate.
 * Conclusions:**

The group presentations will be graded as a quiz and the participation in the class discussion as class work. There will be an essay question on the quarterly exam which reflects this lesson. For example: how did the medieval governments and participation in the Renaissance lead to political conflicts in the city of Boston at the turn of the 20th century?
 * Assessments:**


 * Resources:**

Curley newspaper articles from the Boston Daily Globe (ProQuest) The following Globe articles have been assembled in one file for download:
 * “City Campaign Goes Slowly” December 22, 1913
 * “Keliher Leaves Field to Curley and Kenny” December 31, 1913
 * “Elks Gather to Honor the Dead” December 3, 1917
 * “Peters Attacks Curley’s Claims” December 12, 1917
 * “Curley Expects to Land 35,000 Cotes” December 17, 1917
 * Puleo, Stephen. The Boston Italians: A Story of Pride, Perseverance, and Paesani, from the Years of the Great Immigration to the Present Day. Boston: Beacon, 2007. Print.

Political cartoons: