Two types of resources for this activity can be accessed through C-SPAN’s web site:
Links to members of the U.S. Congress who
represent New York State by using
C-SPAN’s
Congress home page
Students can gather evidence on the following and other topics concerning New York state:
1. daily life
2. concerns of the middle class
3. employment
4. environment
5. history
6. social issues: crime, health care, education
7. party politics
Review students findings, and raise additional questions, if necessary.
How can students obtain answers to these
questions? Consider writing or calling a member of Congress or journalist from New York state for more information.
Ask students to imagine which social issues were of concern to citizens of
New York state
during the
mid-19th century. What issues were gaining prominence at this time?
(Student may review information about President Martin Van Buren
of New York state from C-SPAN’s
American Presidents web site and other sources.) Have students imagine further back in time to the early republic and colonial times. What role did New York play in the country’s formation, particularly in comparison to Massachusetts and Virginia?
Tell students they are to engage in a study of New York in the 19th century
through the life of one of its citizens, Millard Fillmore. Students will
watch the American Presidents programming and create another version of "New York 101," this time for an ambitious New York state politician in the 19th century.
While Viewing American Presidents
Directions: Take notes on the history, issues and events in New York state
during the course of Millard Fillmore’s life. Add other categories for
information, if necessary.
1. daily life
2. concerns of the middle class
3. employment
4. environment
5. history
6. social issues: crime, health care, education
7. party politics
After Viewing American Presidents
In what ways did Millard Fillmore’s status as a New Yorker
propel his political career? Did his background as a New Yorker impact his
life in Congress? As president?
How was New York state representative of the country during the
19th century? How is it representative today? Does New York’s size, or
demographics, affect its significance on the national political scene?
What about New York state has remained constant from the 19th century to
the 20th? What has changed? What social issues will New Yorkers give
priority to in the upcoming Congressional and presidential elections? What
lessons does Millard Fillmore offer to current New York politicians who aspire to national office?
Additional Activity
Have students continue to track the Congressional and presidential campaigns in New York
state and gauge issues of
significance to New York state by using C-SPAN’s programming and web site,
as
well as other sources.
