Students will examine President Jackson's fight with the Bank of the US and analyze a political cartoon of Jackson battling the hydra.
Students are then challenged to make a political cartoon depicting the current President and his battle with a major issue. What is the President’s challenge? What will you depict it as?
For students to make a connection to the Presidency of Jackson and his fight with the Bank of the US
Analyze a political cartoon of Jackson’s battle with the national bank
Apply their understanding of political cartoons to current events
TN State Standard 8.46 - “Examine Jackson’s actions regarding the Bank of the US… analyze the effects on the nation”
Youtube video of Hercules battling Hydra from Disney movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7tU22tvXOw
Political cartoon of Jackson battling the hydra from LOC https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2008661279/
- Step One: Students observe three images of hydra from ancient Greece/Rome displayed by the teacher and answer background questions (Do you know what this ancient mythological creature represents? What happens when someone attempts to kill the creature, etc.) 5 MIN.
- Step Two: CAN BE OMITTED FOR TIME Students watch video of Hercules fighting the hydra from Disney clip 5 MIN
- Step Three: Mini-lecture on Jackson as “Champion of the Common Man” and his battle with the National Bank (Make sure students know why he wanted to take down the bank and the difficulty he faced in doing so.) 15 MIN
- Step Four: Analysis of political cartoon of Jackson battling the hydra with Think-Pair-Share activity. Have students look at the image and answer questions with a partner. (Why do you think the artist chose to depict the bank as a hydra?, Who are the other people in the picture?, etc.) Students share out answers. 15 MIN
- Step Five: Students are challenged to make a political cartoon depicting the current President and his battle with a major issue. What is the President’s challenge? What will you depict it as? Students create on paper with colored pencils or markers. 15 MIN
- Step Six: Students share out their creations if they are willing. 5 MIN
ASSESSMENT in the form of exit ticket given as homework or last activity in class.
ASSESSMENT in the form of exit ticket given as homework or last activity in class.
Students answer exit ticket with the following questions:
1) Why did Jackson want to take down the Bank of the US?
2) How would this benefit him politically?
3) Why did the artist depict Jackson battling the hydra to portray his conflict with the national bank?