Before Viewing American Presidents
Part 1
Discuss with students some qualities valuable to a
presidential candidate. Ask students: if you yourself were
running for president, what biographical information would you emphasize?
Consider accomplishments, personality traits, work habits, family background
and skills.
Instruct each student to make campaign posters, or write slogans for
their own presidential campaigns.
Share completed posters and slogans with the whole group.
What qualities are emphasized most often? What slogans are most effective?
Now ask students: how close are the slogans and posters to reality?
Should campaign materials accurately represent the candidate?
Have students explain their answers. Draw out their opinions about
the correlation between the candidate and the candidate’s image.
Part 2
Prepare students to view selections of C-SPAN’s American Presidents
series
on
William Henry Harrison, whose 1840 presidential campaign is considered the
first modern presidential campaign. Students will indentify biographical
information that would be considered an asset to candidate Harrison's presidential
campaign.
While Viewing American Presidents
Directions: Note biographical information about William Henry
Harrison for each of the following categories.
1. Early life
2. Military career
3. Family
4. Friends, political allies
5. Military career
6. Other public service
7. Physical appearance
8. Personality
After Viewing American Presidents
Review the biographical information about William Henry Harrison.
Invite students to conduct additional research for the project, if necessary.
Visit C-SPAN's American President
web site for more information about
the ninth president.
Reviewing the data gathered from the While Viewing Activity and
students'
research,
circle the details you would want to include in a campaign for Harrison.
Cross out the details you would not want to emphasize.
Then, design a campaign slogan or button for William Henry Harrison.
What campaign slogans did William Henry Harrison use in his campaign for
the presidency? Were they factually accurate? In what ways did Harrison’s
campaign misrepresent him, or embellish the truth? How is using
figurative language like "keep the ball rolling" an effective way
to garner support for a candidate? Is it a fair way to solicit votes?
Explain. How do campaign techniques, such as slogans, songs and buttons
benefit the candidate? How do they benefit the voter? What is the downside?
What elements of the Harrison-Van Buren campaign still exist today? What is different? What campaign reform initiatives have been proposed? Why? Could Harrison have predicted the type of campaign techniques that are used today?
