Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Patriots or Traitors - Point of View in the War for Independence
Patriots or traitors? Class members analyze images that present widely differing views of the Boston Tea Party, identifying the point of view of the image, the propaganda devices used, and the intended audience.
Social Studies School Service
“Duck and Cover” (Civil Defense)
Bert the Turtle models for viewers the 1950s Civil Defense Duck and Cover strategy that was supposed to protect citizens from a nuclear blast. After viewing the video, watchers are asked to consider the motivations of the producers of...
Smithsonian Institution
Mobilizing Children
Scholars find out how the government used propaganda to mobilize children to help in the war effort. Lesson exercises include analyzing a quote from Franklin Roosevelt, viewing propaganda images and posters, and participating in a lively...
Curated OER
Propaganda Flyer
Fourth graders create a persuasive flyer to sway the opinion of the class on a controversial issue. They read assigned editorials representing the viewpoint that they must defend.
Curated OER
Selling Warfare - Propaganda Posters
High schoolers examine the use and purpose of propaganda posters during World War I. They work in groups to create a propaganda poster supporting a nation's war effort.
Curated OER
German Propaganda in World War I
Students examine the effect of propaganda as a form of psychological warfare this gives students an opportunity to analyze primary source documents, and to develop skills in discussion, debate, and persuasive writing.
DocsTeach
Uncle Sam and the American Diet
Uncle Sam wants you to follow the food pyramid! Scholars analyze two images of propaganda posters the government created to promote the food pyramid. Academics complete a worksheet to understand the impact of the campaign and end the...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Candidate Flip-Flop or Evolution?
Beware political rhetoric! Connotation is everything! Groups select a presidential candidate and investigate how the candidate's position has changed on a specific issue. After analyzing the situation, the group determines whether they...
National Association of Teacher Educators for Family and Consumer Science
Consumerism in the Classroom: Effective Strategies for Today's Teenage Consumers
Help class members become savvy consumers with a series of activities that has them analyzing marketing strategies, comparing the value of brand name versus off-brand clothing, and considering the advantages and disadvantages of shopping...
US National Archives
WWII: Western Europe 1939-45 – Invasion
Without the benefit of history, Western Europe in the 1940's had no idea what was about to befall them. Class members use primary sources, including political cartoons, videos, and internal documents, to analyze how much of a threat...
Curated OER
The Homefront: America and WWII
Students are introduced to the experiences of various groups of Americans at home during WWII, highlighting race, gender, and ethnicity. They improve their ability to analyze and interpret historical documents and images.
Propaganda Lesson
This lesson can be used as a standalone lesson or as an introductory lesson. There is also a PowerPoint Presentation that includes videos and an internet-based interactive activity provided by Holt, the textbook publisher. Click the...
DocsTeach
Introduction to the Domino Theory and Containment Policy in Vietnam
Scholars analyze a propaganda poster against communism. The resource uses the poster to examine the domino theory and containment policies used by the United States to stop the spread of communism in Vietnam. Scholars work in pairs or...
Curated OER
Hidden Persuaders
Students examine classic propaganda techniques to analyze factors which influence learning and thinking processes influencing formation of public opinion through these lessons.
Curated OER
The Home Front - "Food Will Win The War"
High schoolers define and identify propaganda. They analyze the multiple sides of an issue (problem resolution skills), then discuss the racial environment of Alabama during World War I. They reate a poster reflecting the concerns of the...
Curated OER
World War II: A United Front
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this World War II lesson, students examine racial relations during the war and then examine propaganda techniques employed by the United States...
Curated OER
The Power of the Press
Students identify an editorial and propaganda, discuss differences between weekly and daily newspapers, analyze needs of rural and urban newspaper audiences, and evaluate possible power of the press and importance of multiple views...
Curated OER
Ny Secret War: Lesson 10
Fifth graders explore the role of propaganda during the war. In this social studies lesson, 5th graders view various forms of propaganda and design their own propaganda poster.
Curated OER
Photography in the Holocaust
Students analyze photographs for the use of propaganda. They explore the idea of having photos used as historical documents. Students realize the importance of having photos to tell stories.
Curated OER
Putting a Spin on Current Events
Students explore the artistic value of propaganda. In this visual arts lesson, students analyze antique artistic pieces for their political agenda perpetuation. Students discuss propaganda techniques of the past to today prior to...
Curated OER
Cartoon-Truth or Tale
Students examine Nazi propaganda. In this Holocaust lesson, students investigate the power of symbolism as they examine Nazi propaganda cartoons and then create their own cartoons using propaganda regarding current events of their choosing.
Curated OER
The Home Front - "Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do Or Do Without!"
Students examine documents that explore U.S. government advertisements from the WWII era that encouraged people to grow victory gardens, recycle and conserve resources as part of the war effort. They discuss propaganda and design their...
Curated OER
911 As History
Students recognize persuasive techniques, think criticaly about the messages contained in various media, and discuss controversial issues in constructive ways. They analyze the deeper messages contained in children's literature, and...
Curated OER
The Media
Learners identify various forms of media used in a political campaign and compare the different formats as vehicles for distributing political messages. They analyze the effectiveness of candidate's uses of different media.