APUSH – PERIOD 4 1800-1848
SHARK TANK: The Mid-19th Century Market Revolution Edition!
Background: Shark Tank is an unscripted series on ABC that features a panel of potential
investors, called "sharks", that consider offers from aspiring entrepreneurs seeking
investments for their business or product. The entrepreneur can make a deal on the show if
a panel member is interested. However, if all of the panel members opt out, the
entrepreneur leaves empty handed. The "sharks" often find weaknesses and faults in an
entrepreneur's concept, product, or business model.
TODAY’S ACTIVITY: We will be carrying out a very close version of the Shark Tank program in
class using mid-19th century inventions. You will be invited as either a member of the Shark
Tank OR to make a pitch as a representative of a Mid-19th Century Market Revolution
entrepreneur.
Each Shark Tank member will rank in order where they would invest their money and they
will decide their rankings based on the entrepreneur representatives’ presentations.
Shark Tank members will be allowed to decide to invest their money in all, none, or any
number in between.
Entrepreneur representatives will pitch their invention and “sharks” can ask questions to
better help them make the best investment decision.
PROCEDURE:
SHARK TANKERS:

REVIEW YOUR NOTES BEFORE THE PITCHES AND WRITE OUT SOME QUESTIONS THAT YOU
ANTICIPATE WANTING TO HAVE ANSWERED DURING THE PRESENTATIONS.
DURING THE PRESENTATIONS, SHARK TANK MEMBERS WILL FILL OUT THE ATTACHED CHART
WHILE HEARING EACH PITCH AND THEN FIGURE OUT YOUR RANKINGS.
ENTREPRENEUR REPRESENTATIVES:
ENTREPRENEUR REPRESENTATIVES WILL MAKE THEIR PITCHES AFTER FILLING OUT THE CHARTS.
Entrepreneur Representatives/Contestant Groups:
1. Governor De Witt Clinton/Erie Canal
2. John Fitch and Robert Fulton/ Steamboat
3. John Stevens/Railroads
4. Samuel F.B. Morse/Telegraph
5. Francis Cabot Lowell/Factory system
6. Samuel Slater/ Textile Mill
7. Eli Whitney/Interchangeable parts
8. Eli Whitney/ Cotton Gin
9. John Deere/Steel plow
10. Elias Howe & I.M. Singer/ Sewing Machine
11. Cyrus McCormick/ McCormick Reaper
Step #1: Research & Creation of Presentation
Research your topic. Create a PowerPoint that has the following criteria.
You must follow this format and refrain from differentiating from the criteria.
Slide One: Overview of your product (What is it? What will it be
used for? Who invented it? Brief history of it?)
Slide Two: Pictures &/or Blueprints
Side Three: Resources used to sell/make your product? Overall
cost needed to produce your product (ballpark)?
Slide Four: Audience: Who do you intend to use this product?
What are comparable products and why is your product better?
Slide Five: Profit Margins: Short Term & Long Term Projections &
Expectations? Benefits? Anticipated accomplishments? Why
should your group receive the investment money? How will your
innovative product benefit industrialization?
Slide Six: (Optional: Any additional information that may enhance
your presentation)
Since you are trying to raise money for your product, you obviously want to
focus on the benefits and omit the weaknesses. However, you might want
to anticipate weaknesses and brainstorm clever ways to counter the
weaknesses when brought up by the Sharks.
Remember that since you are presenting the information on your
PowerPoint, your PP should emphasize the major points that will be made
during the 4-5 minute presentation. When presenting, you should refrain
from reading word from word right from the PP. The PP should only be used
as guide for your presentation.
Step #2: Shark Presentation: What’s your Pitch?
Present your pitch via PowerPoint. The audience members (the sharks) will
complete the “Tank Member Notes” for each presentation. After the PP, be
ready to answer clarifying questions from the Sharks! Your presentation
should not exceed 5 minutes & answer of questions will not exceed 5
minutes.
Step #3: Resolution
Each Group will also be assigned the role of “Sharks.” Each group will
complete the Money Allocation Activity and present & justify its decisions to
the class. (You cannot allot money to your own group.)
Grading: PowerPoint & Presentation (30pts)
Emphasis on Quality of Information Presented & Quality of
PowerPoint. Preparedness, Professionalism, and Overall Clarity
of the Presentation will also be considered for grading purposes.
Money Allocation Activity (15pts)
Completion w/ emphasis on quality (justification) of rationale
APUSH 19th Century Market Revolution
SHARK TANK MEMBER NOTES
Name
1. GOVERNOR DE WITT CLINTON’S ERIE CANAL
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
2. John Fitch AND/OR Robert Fulton/ Steamboat
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
3. John Stevens/ Railroad
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
4. SAMUEL MORSE/ TELEGRAPH
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
5. FRANCIS CABOT LOWELL/FACTORY SYSTEM
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
6. SAMUEL SLATER/TEXTILE MILL
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
7. ELI WHITNEY/INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
8. ELI WHITNEY/ Cotton Gin
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
9. JOHN DEERE/STEEL PLOW
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
10. Elias Howe & I.M. Singer/ Sewing Machine
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
11. Cyrus McCormick/ McCormick Reaper
WHAT I LIKED:
WHAT CONCERNED ME ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT:
POTENTIAL FOR LONG TERM GROWTH OF MY INVESTMENT (20 years from now):
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: _________ Period: ______
Shark Tank: Appropriating Funds
Keep true to your assigned perspective when determining which innovations are essential for
the American Industrialization efforts.
Rank
Name of Invention
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
RATIONALE:
% OF TOTAL INVESTMENT TO GIVE
(Total Must Equal 100%)
APUSH MARKET REVOLUTION
GROUP#/Invention
Step One: Fill out this SWOT ANALYSIS CHART
Step Two: Once you’ve completed the chart, identify the strengths and opportunities of
your invention both SHORT TERM and LONG TERM (20 years from now):
http://www.therichest.com/business/10-most-successful-inventions-from-the-shark-tank/?view=all
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REyey28CvZw