Media Construction of Presidential Campaigns

A Document-Based History Kit, 3rd Edition

NOTE: Updated lessons for the 2016 Presidential campaign can be found here and complement the original kit below.

High School through College
This kit helps to teach about the role of media in 28 U.S. elections ranging from 1800-2008. Over 160 media documents are included for decoding, including slides of posters, handbills and political cartoons; audio clips of songs and radio programs; and video clips of speeches, debates, comedy TV and political commercials. Students will learn how to analyze historical documents, the history of presidential campaigns, the crafting and marketing of campaign messages, and the impact of new technologies and new media on presidential campaigns.

All materials are classroom-ready, including: teacher guides, student handouts, overviews, assessments, resource lists, and more than 140 historic media documents.

• To download all print materials (520 pages) FOR FREE FOR FREE, click here. All media can be downloaded FOR FREE from each lesson below.
  
• To purchase a hard copy with media materials, go to link in right column.

Be sure to read the kit introductory material on the left of this page.

Download each teacher's guide and media below.

1800  |   1828-1840  |   1860-1872  |   1896-1908  |   1932-1944
1952-1964  |   1968-1972  |   1984-1992  |   2000-2008 2016

2016 Activities Available

Access each lesson individually by visiting our lesson plans

• 2016

  • Supplemental Resources
    
    X

    2016