Overview

Prepare for the visit of Joseph Ellis by researching the major issues that preceded the elections of 1800. How did the leaders and the issues of the early nation compare to those of today? By participating in this Open Forum, students will gain an understanding about how the politics of the early nation were startlingly similar to those of today. They will gain insight into the lives and beliefs of our founding fathers, as well as current information about the candidates of today.

The Open Forum will culminate in a student vote for party winner, then and now.

Objectives

• To research information about candidates, past and present, using Beyond Books

• To present information as a party member, the public, or the press

• To analyze the information presented and make comparisons and contrasts to modern day politics

Time Frame

2-3 class periods

Grade Level

Secondary

Beyond Books Resources

PoliticalFest 2000
• Unit 1 On the Campaign Trail [http://www.beyondbooks.com/gop00/1.asp]

• Unit 2 Philadelphia and the Presidency [http://www.beyondbooks.com/gop00/2.asp]

• Unit 3 Life in the White House [http://www.beyondbooks.com/gop00/3.asp]

• Unit 4 The Media and Politics [http://www.beyondbooks.com/gop00/4.asp]

Creation of a New Nation
• Unit 8, Jeffersonian America: A Second Revolution [http://www.beyondbooks.com/ush81/8.asp]

Guest Expert
• Joseph Ellis's Biography includes a link to Ellis's recent article in U.S. News & World Report entitled, "The first Democrats: How the two-party system was born amid backroom deals, lying politicians, and a scandal-hungry press." [http://www.beyondbooks.com/chat/2000/ellis.asp]

• "American Sphinx: The Contradictions of Thomas Jefferson" by Joseph Ellis [http://rs6.loc.gov/ammem/mtjhtml/mtjessay1.html].

Activity

1. Discuss with the class the meaning of the term "political party." Write key words from the student descriptions on the board. Have the class come to a consensus on a meaning of "political party."

2. Explain to students that the creation of political parties was avoided during the early days of the nation, because political parties were thought to be made up of those who catered to popular opinion, rather than focusing on public interest. Give them the following definitions and discuss the questions: "How did the definition of "political party" evolve over the past two and a half centuries? What do you think caused this evolution?

   In 1755, a political party was described as a number of persons confederated by a similarity of designs or opinions in opposition of others.

   According to Dr. Paul M. Johnson of Auburn University, a political party is an organized group that has as its fundamental aim the attainment of political power and public office for its designated leaders. A political party has a common commitment by its leaders and its membership to a set of political, social, economic and/or cultural values (an "ideology") that distinguish it from other political parties and which supposedly provide the basis for the policies the party proposes to implement or maintain through its members who obtain public office.

3. Discuss with the class the "Election of 1800." You can print out the "Student Question Sheet -- Election of 1800" to give to your students. For background, have students read the material listed below. You may choose to have students read the article by Ellis in groups or individually. Have students note interesting points in the article and answer the questions on the Student Question Sheet.
   1. Beyond Books Creation of a New Nation, Unit 8, Introduction and Focus 8a.

   2. Joseph Ellis's U.S. News & World Report Article, "The first Democrats: How the two-party system was born amid backroom deals, lying politicians, and a scandal-hungry press."

4. Have a quick brainstorming session with the class. Ask them to list things that are different as far as the politics of 1800 and 2000. Answers will vary depending on teacher emphasis and student familiarity with the topics.

   Examples of possible student answers:

   • The media
   • Technology
   • Amount of money needed/available
   • Issues -- social, economic, political
   • Expectations of the people
   • Citizens are better informed

5. Open Forum - The Open Forum will give the students an opportunity to "role play" different forces in the Elections of 1800 and 2000.
   1. Begin by placing students will into the groups listed below. Teachers should assign these groups to ensure positive working conditions. Since there are so many groups, make the media groups only one or two people.
      Group 1: Democratic-Republican Party, Election 1800
      Group 2: Federalists, Election of 1800
      Group 3: Public -- Upper-class land-owners, professionals, 1800
      Group 4: Public -- Working-class, laborers, 1800
      Group 5: Media, 1800
      Group 6: Democrats, Election 2000
      Group 7: Republicans, Election 2000
      Group 8: Green and/or Reform Party, Election 2000
      Group 9: Public, 2000
      Group 10: Media, 2000

   2. Each group should prepare for the Open Forum by completing the Open Forum Preparation Worksheet. A handout is available for your students. Students in each group should play their assigned role in the presentation, but everyone should complete all portions of the worksheet to prepare for the discussion. Each group should assign a lead speaker, but others from the group may speak too. Students can prepare in class and at home using the information provided in the Beyond Books resources above.

   3. On the day of the Open Forum, the five parties will present the issues central to their election. The representatives from the Election of 1800 will go first, then the public, then the media. Next the representatives from the Election of 2000 will present the central issues of their party's campaign, followed by the 2000 public, and media.

   4. After all the positions have been presented, have an open discussion of the issues. In the Open Forum, representatives of each election group should be encouraged to question the other groups about how they would handle the issues of their group. The media's role will be to summarize the exchange and ask their own questions of the representatives.

   5. At the end of the question-answer session, students can choose a party from each election as winner of the debate. Members of the media should collect and tally the ballots.

Handouts

• Definitions -- Political Parties
  
• Student Question Sheet -- Election of 1800
  
• Open Forum Preparation Sheet

Assessment

You can assess student learning from the speeches, question preparation, and the class discussion.