1860 Election

From: Zinn Education Project
Grade Level: HS, (College)
Remote Ready: No
Time: 1-2 Class Periods
Length of Reading: Pages

The Election of 1860 Role Play

Role Play. Each of 5 groups is assigned a role: Abraham Lincoln, Western Farmers, Northern Factory Owners and Merchants, Southern Plantation Owners, or Northern Workers. Each role has a one page description group members read. Then each group discusses and answers provided questions about what their group's issues are going into the 1860 election.

Next, half of each group travels to another group to discuss common issues and differences. The Lincoln group will weigh their campaign strategy then all members will go to different groups to campaign and listen to groups concerns.

In the next class period, the teacher (or a volunteer) gives a speech for each 1860 election candidates Douglas, Bell, and Breckinridge based on a provided outline. Anti-textbook suggests handing out the provided platform outline of each candidate instead of the speeches. The Lincoln group gives a speech that they have prepared. Finally, each group votes for the candidate that most aligns to their wants and needs. After the votes are tallied, the class discusses the outcome in character.