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NCSS.D2.His.1.9-12. Evaluate how historical events and developments were shaped by unique circumstances of time and place as well as broader historical contexts. NCSS.D2.His.2.9-12. Analyze change and continuity in historical eras. NCSS.D2.His.3.9-12. Use questions generated about individuals and groups to assess how the significance of their actions changes over time and is shaped by the historical context. NCSS.D2.His.4.9-12. Analyze complex and interacting factors that influenced the perspectives of people during different historical eras. NCSS.D2.His.14.9-12. Analyze multiple and complex causes and effects of events in the past. NCSS.D2.His.15.9-12. Distinguish between long-term causes and triggering events in developing a historical argument. NCSS.D2.His.16.9-12. Integrate evidence from multiple relevant historical sources and interpretations into a reasoned argument about the past.
The following EDSITEMENT-reviewed websites provide helpful background material to review before teaching this lesson:
In this initial step, students learn background information through doing two readings before going on to the next activities. They are asked to take notes on the reading. For homework, students should read an online summary of President Kennedy's civil rights record, from the EDSITEment-reviewed Center for History and New Media website, and the King Encyclopedia entry on the Freedom Rides. Additionally, students should consult the PBS documentary Freedom Riders for background on the issues faced by the Freedom Rides campaign. Students should take notes on what they read, listing:
Students should then read the following online documents, linked to the EDSITEment-reviewed Center for History and New Media website: Then, in the final part of this activity, students should respond in writing to the following questions: What do President Kennedy's comments tell us about:
And, judging by these comments, to what extent does President Kennedy appear to support or oppose the Civil Right Movement in Birmingham at this time? Please use evidence from the press conference reading to support your answers. Activity 2. Different Actors in the Civil Rights Movement
The speeches
Questions on the speeches:
Following the class discussion, return the students to the "jigsaw" group from Activity 3, in which each student read a different speech (if all students have read all of the speeches, any groups will work). Assign each group a different newspaper: a Northern newspaper, a Southern newspaper, or an African American newspaper. Students, acting as the editorial board for their assigned newspaper, will write an editorial commenting on the speeches given at the March on Washington. Which position would the editorial board endorse for the African American community? What would they have the Administration endorse (bear in mind Kennedy's initial opposition to the March)? How should the majority of Americans, who were not at the March, respond to the issues raised that day?
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