Instructional Activity 5: Political Cartoons (Standard 3)
Curriculum Area
Grade Level
Key Standards/Benchmark
United States History
8
Essential Question/Rational
What was the cause and effect of Shay’s Rebellion?
Content Standard 3: The student will examine the formation of the American system of
government following the Revolutionary War that led to the creation of the United States
Constitution.
1. Examine and summarize the issues encountered by the young nation that led to the Constitutional
Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 including the
A. Strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation,
B. Lack of a common national currency,
C. Lack of a common defense,
D. Management of the war debts,
E. Disputes over the western territories as resolved by the Northwest Ordinance, and
F. Civil unrest as typified in Shays’ Rebellion.
2. Analyze the significance of the Constitutional Convention, its major debates and compromises
including the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, the Great Compromise, the Three-fifths
Compromise, and the key contributions of George Washington, James Madison, George Mason,
and Gouverneur Morris.
3. Cite specific textual and visual evidence to examine the arguments for and against the ratification
of the United States Constitution as expressed in the Federalist Papers Number 10 and Number 51,
as well as Anti-Federalist concerns over a strong central government and the omission of a bill of
rights.
4. Explain the constitutional principles of popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, separation of
powers, checks and balances, federalism, and judicial review.
5. Cite specific textual and visual evidence and summarize the rights and responsibilities all
Americans possess under the United States Constitution as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights including
the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition, and the rights to due process and trial by
jury.
Title of Lesson
“All Praise, No Pay, Lead to Shays!”
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Multiple Intelligences
Materials/Resources
Comprehension, Application, Analysis
Linguistic, Intrapersonal, Spatial
Resources: Textbook, and/or online databases (Contact your library media specialist for access information)
Website for teaching about political cartoons:
It’s No Laughing Matter: Analyzing Political Cartoons. The Library of Congress.
<http://lcweb2.loc.gov:8081/learn/features/political_cartoon/index.html> Accessed 7/20/11.
Materials: Copy paper, art supplies
Essential Vocabulary
Procedures
Political cartoon, represent, analogy, rebellion, depression
Review events leading to Shay’s Rebellion using textbook and or online databases. (Check with your library
media specialist for access to online databases.) Review Shay’s Rebellion and its effect.
Take a look at some political cartoons using the website listed above. Pay particular attention to the
techniques discussed. Elicit ideas for political cartoons from the group as a starter. Assign each student to
design a political cartoon that demonstrates the causes, or effects of Shay’s Rebellion
Assessment
Differentiation
Notes
Students will complete an exit ticket that explains the essential cause and effect of Shay’s Rebellion
Students may pair up to write their exit tickets.
2 /45 minute lessons