Create Your Own Campaign: 1912 Edition

Mr. Rusek US History

The 1912 presidential election was one of the most extraordinary stories in
our country's political history. The choice facing voters in 1912 was more
diverse than at any other time in the 20th Century. Four major candidates
were running for president - each with their own specific plan for tackling the
nation's problems.

The Four Candidates:

1. Woodrow Wilson Democrat
2. Theodore Roosevelt Progressive
3. William Howard Taft Republican
4. Eugene Debs Socialist

Each student will be placed into four groups, one representing each
candidate. Within those groups, each student will play one of four roles:

The Candidate: (One Student)

This student will represent the Presidential Candidate their group is
assigned. This student is required to work with the rest of their group
on researching their candidates positions and developing a campaign
speech that the Candidate will present in front of the class. The
student should introduce him or herself as the Presidential candidate
and make a campaign speech as if it is 1912. Some points to think
about adding to your speech: Who is the candidate? What prior
experience does the candidate have? Why should a voter choose that
candidate over the other three? Where does the candidate stand on
the issues in 1912? What promises does the candidate make?
The speech should be TWO minutes in length and contain an
introduction of the candidate, the issues the candidate supports, and
the points recommended by the Campaign Team.

The Running Mate: (One Student)

This Student will represent the Vice Presidential Candidate their group
is assigned. This student is required to work with the rest of their group
on researching their VP candidates positions and developing a
campaign speech that the Running Mate will present in front of the
class. The student should introduce him or herself as the Vice
Presidential candidate and make a campaign speech as if it is 1912.
Some points to think about adding to your speech: Who is the vice
presidential candidate? What prior experience does the candidate
have? Why was the vice presidential candidate chosen to be part of the
ticket? Does the candidate agree on all of the issues with his running
mate?
 The speech should be TWO minutes in length and contain an
introduction of the candidate, the issues the candidate supports, and
the points recommended by the Campaign Team.

The Campaign Team: (Multiple Students)

These students will run most of the research done for each of their
campaigns. The main role of students on the campaign team will be to
instruct each candidate on what to put into their speeches, and also to
identify what people the candidate will be appealing to, what areas of
the country at this time the candidate appeals to, what issues may
come up about their candidate, and what states should be targeted for
the max number of votes.
Each Campaign Team will have one Campaign Manager who will make
a TWO-minute presentation outlining their campaigns strategies on
the following: What blocks of voters is the candidate trying to appeal
to? Is the candidate modifying his or her views in order to gain certain
supporters? Will the candidate be steering clear of any issues in order
to avoid alienating certain voters? What parts of the country might the
candidate try to focus his approach?
Campaign Team members will be graded on their participation in the
project by both the teacher and the rest of their group. If a student is
not participating within their group, they will lose their participation
points.

The Media Strategy Team: (Multiple Students)

These students will be designing the media behind the campaign for
their candidate. These students should develop an advertising
campaign containing at least TWO separate projects. Examples of what
these students can develop are campaign posters, newspaper ads,
political cartoons of the opposing candidates, or any other form of
advertisement this team thinks would help their candidates campaign.
Each Media Strategy Team will have one Media Strategist who will
make a TWO-minute presentation on the strategies their team used to
help their candidates campaign and show and explain their two
advertising projects. Points to consider when presenting: Which of the
candidate's positions will be accentuated? Are there any issues to
avoid? What are the themes that will be emphasized? What forms of
media will be chosen to get out the message? Will there be any
negative campaigning?
Members of this group should consider what materials they will need to
get their work done during the work day provided. Will you need poster
board, markers, scissors, tape, etc.?
Media Strategy Team members will be graded on their participation in
the project by both the teacher and the rest of their group. If a student
 is not participating within their group, they will lose their participation
points.

All students will be given one full class period to work on their projects and
fulfill their responsibilities based on their roles. Anything not finished on this
day will be HOMEWORK and will be due the next day to be ready to be
presented. Day Two of the project will consist of the presentations of the 4
groups and will conclude with a final class vote on the candidates of the
Election of 1912.

Candidate Information Sheet

Candidate 1:
Party:
Running Mate:
Main Issues this candidate was focused on:

Area/People this candidate appealed to:

Candidate 2:
Party:
Running Mate:
Main Issues this candidate was focused on:

Area/People this candidate appealed to:

Candidate 3:
Party:
Running Mate:
Main Issues this candidate was focused on:

Area/People this candidate appealed to:

Candidate 4:
Party:
Running Mate:
 Main Issues this candidate was focused on:

Area/People this candidate appealed to:

Participation Check-In

This Sheet gives you the opportunity to voice any concerns you have over
the participation of any member of your group. If you felt that a member of
your group did not participate or do their role properly, please use the blank
space provided to write that students name and why you feel they should
not receive participation credit. If you felt that every member of your group
played their role and participated the appropriate amount, please just write:
All the members of my group played their role and should receive full
participation points. Honesty in this part of the project is ESSENTIAL to the
integrity of the project and making sure that everyone gets the fair amount
of points.

Grading Rubric
Project/Presentation: 15 points
Candidate Information Sheet: 5 points
Participation: 10 points
Total: 30 Points