Grades: 7-12
Subject: History, Social Studies, Art

Time: Two class periods

Summary

In order to better understand why the Second Amendment was added to the Bill of Rights, it is important that students have historical knowledge about events leading up to the writing of the Constitution. Preferably this unit would be done after students have studied the American Revolution. In this lesson, students review British tyranny experienced by the American colonists by analyzing a political cartoon. Students create their own political cartoon depicting why the colonists felt it was so important to include an amendment giving them the right to bear arms.
Students with Noteshare can embed the cartoons and complete the analysis in a designated Section. Students will then embed their original cartoon created in Comic Life or a program of their choice.

Objectives:

• Formulate critical questions when exploring the artistic techniques of political cartoons and learn how these techniques have an impact on the message of the cartoon
• Identify and evaluate point of view of artist
• Analyze the artistic techniques used in political cartoons and evaluate how the techniques influence meaning

On Day 1 Introduce the elements of a political cartoon: symbolism, exaggeration, humor and irony, captions or labels, analogy

Symbolism: when cartoonists use objects, or symbols to stand for a larger concept or idea.
Exaggeration/ Caricature: when cartoonists express a point of view by stretching true characteristics such as overdoing physical traits
Humor and Irony- a type of humor where a viewpoint is expressed in such an odd way that it appears ridiculous…the difference in the way things are and the way they are expected to be.
Captions- words or phrases to help make a point
Analogy-When cartoonists make a comparison of two unlike things in order to make a point

Apply these characteristics to the Benjamin Franklin cartoon The Repeal, or the
Funeral of Miss-Ame-Stamp.  This cartoon is a satire that celebrates the end of the Stamp Act. Supporters carry the remains of the bill in a funeral procession towards a vault with two skulls. There are crates of stamps sent back from America stacked on the wharf. As you ask students to apply the characteristics to the cartoon, review the various acts imposed on the colonists causing them to rebel against unjust treatment by the British government.

Homework have students analyze another cartoon from the time period such as:

Day 2- Have Students complete the lesson: Federalist Papers and the Second Amendment

As a final activity, students draw their own political cartoon showing why the Second Amendment was added to the Constitution. Develop a rubric WITH the students that includes the elements of a political cartoon. Comic Life is a program available on all the MLTI laptops and it would be the best program for this lesson.

Library of Congress:

The repeal, or the funeral of Miss Ame=StampRights Information: No known restrictions on publication.
Reproduction Number:
Call Number: PC 1 - 4140 (B size) [P&P]
Medium: 1 print : etching.

Bostonians in Distress-Rights Information:   No known restrictions on publication.
Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-11139 (b&w film copy neg.); LC-USZ62-1510 (b&w film copy neg. of another impression)
Call Number: PC 1 - 5241 (A size) [P&P]