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American Presidency Project

American Presidency Project: 1920 Presidential Election

For Students 9th - 10th
View a map and chart showing the distribution of votes by Democrats and Republicans in the 1920 presidential election. See which states supported Warren G. Harding and which supported James Cox.
Article
A&E Television

History.com: How the 2000 Election Came Down to a Supreme Court Decision

For Students 9th - 10th
As Florida's electoral votes became too close to call, controversy ensued over hanging chads, dimpled chads and butterfly bullets. Five hundred thirty-seven votes. That's all that separated Democrat Al Gore and his Republican challenger...
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Harp Week

Harp Week: The Presidential Elections: 1880 Cartoon List

For Students 9th - 10th
This fabulous site compiles political cartoons from Harper's Weekly for the campaing of 1880. The cartoons are drawn by Thomas Nast, and each cartoon is thoroughly explained. A great resource.
Handout
Digital History

Digital History: The Clinton Presidency

For Students 9th - 10th
Short, but comprehensive, synopsis of Clinton's two terms as president. Included in the article is the 1992 campaign, successful and controversial legislation, and the scandals that would eventually become part of his presidential legacy.
Website
Vassar College

Vassar: 1896: The Presidential Campaign: Cartoons and Commentary

For Students 9th - 10th
This extensive site from the Vassar College on the 1896 presidential election includes links to cartoons, parties and platforms, leaders, campaign themes, and special features.
Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Elections: Political Parties

For Students 3rd - 5th
Read this brief summary of the two political parties in the United States, and then write about what you know about the parties.
Unit Plan
The Dirksen Congressional Center

Congress for Kids: Elections: National Conventions an Inside View

For Students 3rd - 5th
Follow the Presidential election to the political parties' National Conventions. Find out what goes on during those events, and why they are important to the election process.
Handout
Harp Week

Harp Week: Elections: 1888 Election: Harrison v. Cleveland

For Students 9th - 10th
The campaigns and campaign styles of the two candidates for president in 1888 were very different. Read about the legacy of Grover Cleveland from his first term, and find out why Benjamin Harrison was successful in his presidential bid.
Activity
Other

A Brief History of American Major Parties

For Students 9th - 10th
A good, brief history of the two party system in the United States.
Website
Other

Vanderbilt University: Television News Archive

For Students 9th - 10th
This archive from Vanderbilt University contains an "extensive and complete" collection of television news broadcasts. "The collection holds more than 30,000 individual network evening news broadcasts from the major U.S. national...
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Andrew Jackson: Campaigns and Electiions

For Students 9th - 10th
Scroll through this article to the Campaign and Election of 1832. Find out who ran against Andrew Jackson and what political parties were involved.
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Franklin Pierce: The American Franchise

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the political party leanings of immigrants in the 1850s and the backlash against immigrants as reflected in political platforms.
Website
Other

President Elect: 1832

For Students 9th - 10th
A great map showing the distribution of the electoral vote in the Election of 1832.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Biographical Directory of the u.s. Congress: Campbell, Ben Nighthorse

For Students 9th - 10th
The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress features a brief summary of the career of Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell who served from 1993-2005 both as a republican and a Democrat.
Primary
University of Virginia

Univ. Of Virigina: The New Deal for African Americans

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource provides an essay describing the African Americans changing of political support from Republican to Democrat in the 1930's. Includes exerpt from archived news article.
Handout
Then Again

Then Again: Web Chron: The Compromise of 1877

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the Compromise of 1877 between the Republicans and Democrats, which was the solution to the contested Presidential election of 1876. It also brought an end to the period of Reconstruction following the Civil War.
Handout
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1870s: Representation

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the political climate in 1870s Texas and two governors elected during this time, Republican Edmund J. Davis and Democrat Richard Coke. Focuses primarily on how African Americans were affected by the leadership of each governor.
Handout
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Forever Free: The 1870s: The Constitutional Convention of 1875

For Students 9th - 10th
A Constitutional Convention was held in Texas in 1875 as a reaction to Reconstruction. See how the gains made by the Republican Party, which included African American legislators, were negated by the Democratic Party when it gained control.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: Presidents of the 20th Century

For Teachers 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart covers the Presidents of the 20th Century, from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Bush. Important facts and details on each president are included along with a chart to explain Democrat and...
Lesson Plan
Schools of California Online Resources for Education

Score: Mt. Carmel High School: In Praise of Political Parties

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Wonderful group lesson from Mt. Carmel High School that lets your students select a political party and do research and an oral presentation on that party.
Website
Other

Politics1.com

For Students 9th - 10th
Billed as the "Most comprehensive online guide to American politics," this site offers an overview of the national political scene. Particularly useful are the political ideology resources which present views from across the spectrum of...
Activity
Other

A Brief History of the Two Party System

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a web-article on the brief history of the two party system.
Website
USA Today

Usa Today: Washington Politics

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource provides the top news in U.S. Politics in brief. Content includes a focus on the president, senate, house, state governors, legislatures, and initiatives.
Article
Other

Sides of the Partisan Divide Thinks the Other Is Living in an Alternate Reality

For Students 9th - 10th
Many are at a loss when trying to explain the widening gap between ideologies and have blamed a combination of fake news, politicians and slanted media. Newsweek addresses the divide.