Have new or soon-to-be voters examine different political parties and their platforms as they figure out which one aligns most with their beliefs. After taking a few online quizzes, students split into pairs to discuss and then...

In today's political rhetoric, many forget the pivotal role the Republican Party played in the causes of the Civil War. The party's formation was the final straw for Southerners who saw the enslavement of people of African descent a...

What are political parties and what so strategists do? In this political analysis lesson, students analyze political strategies to understand their strengths and weaknesses. They use key details from the text to learn how to create...

Why did African American voters switch from the Republican Party to the Democratic party during the Depression Era? That is the question young historians attempt to answer as they study primary source documents from the period. The focus...

The two major parties polarize many in America today, but it doesn't have to be that way in the classroom! Teach learners about political party platforms and modern campaigns with a mock political convention. After watching a PowerPoint...

Young scholars compare/contrast the Republican and Democratic platforms using Venn diagrams, then read and discuss, "The Conventions Are Over. The Party's Just Starting." students then participate in a mock press conference and write...

High schoolers are split into six small groups which focus on one of six websites, that tell the story of the emergence of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties at the end of the 18th century. They compile a chronological list...

Students investigate the beginnings of the political party system in the US. They determine the key positions of both the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. They compare the views of the early political parties with those of today.

Students conduct research on the events of the end of the 18th century in order to identify critical factors leading to the development of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican political parties. They summarize the key positions of...

Students research a political party and prepare a report about its history, philosophy, and the party's position regarding two major political issues. They complete a variety of additional creative activities regarding their party, as well.

Twelfth graders name some of the parties in the political system of the United States. They identify the two main parties along with key information, issues, events, elections and/or people for each system. They then break into groups...

Pupils establish how the first political parties were formed.  In this U.S. History lesson, students work in groups to share their personal viewpoint on various topics provided by the teacher, then they are assigned to bring a...

Students review statements made during a 2007 Republican presidential for factual references. They research the statements for accuracy using internet resources. Students also examine the stated purpose of the websites used to fact check...

Ninth graders examine the origins and functions of political parties.  In this American Government lesson, 9th graders create a party platform to address political issues that are likely to arise during a national election. ...

Learners explore campaign politics. In this political campaign lesson, students investigate multimedia sources in order to examine the structure of political parties and platforms from previous presidential elections. Learners then...

Students identify factors which lead to the development of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. They examine the writings of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton as well. They discuss what elements are needed for an orgainized...

High schoolers examine the platforms of early political parties in the United States. In this political parties lesson, students discover details regarding the attributes and ideals of the federalists and the democratic-republicans. High...

Students identify and examine the Declaration of Independence and ascertain its true intent and its eventual realization. Then they analyze the Declaration of Independence and summarize the intentions of the Declaration. Students also...

Students explore, analyze and study how political party platforms have changed over time. They create a party platform time line by researching Republican and Democratic Party stances on various issues during the last few decades.

Whether or not it's a presidential election year, this debate activity will spark research on current political issues. Split your government scholars into 4 groups and assign each a political party. One person will be the "candidate"...

Pupils examine why the Founders of our country thought a republican government was best. They discover the Founders based our government on the government of Rome after much research and explore the advantages of a republican government.

Pupils evaluate the impact of the Republican party in creating a Southern philosophy of secession. They analyze causation concerning the Southern philosophy of secession.

Pupils identify factors that caused African Americans to shift party loyalty from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party. They review ways in which African Americans benefited from New Deal programs. Students analyze primary...

Explore the origin of political parties in the United States. Learners work in groups to read and analyze copies of the "Report on Manufactures" written by Alexander Hamilton. Then, they complete a worksheet comparing the Federalists to...