US History, Populist Party Campaign Project



US History, Populist Party Campaign Project

Name: _____________________________________________________

The success of the People’s Party, also known as the Populists, was based on the fact that major parties were ignoring the demands of hundreds of thousands of American voters. These voters were able to unite and make their demands known as transportation & communications technology improved. Now that you’ve studied the rise of the Populists, it is time to get their message out to the public.

In this activity, you will be a part of a campaign organization that has the task of getting your candidate elected in a fictional “People’s Party Primary of 1892”. You will compete with other groups in your class to create the best political organization and, ultimately, to get elected! Do your part to make sure that the People’s Party fields the best candidate by completing the assignments below.

Mr. B has real-life examples of all the things that he asking you to make. Be sure to examine these and use the internet to find ideas. Each campaign team will complete the required items below. Since many of the items will be used before the election, be sure that Mr. B signs off them before you pass them out. Keep up with your group’s checklist so you don’t lose the record of the points that you have earned.

1. Get Attention! (20 Points) ____________

- The first job of any campaign is to get the people’s attention. Complete these tasks to make students aware of the upcoming election and your candidate.

a. Make two “yard signs”. They should be simple and direct. Include your candidate’s name, the office they are running for, and possibly their political party, the year or a slogan. These should be hung in the hallway when they are finished. Use poster board provided by Mr. B, tape these to sign posts and tape them up in the hallway to mimic the look of campaign yard signs.

b. Make lots of campaign pins. Use stickers or index cards & tape to make “campaign pins”. Pins are a classic was of getting people to display their loyalty and try to persuade voters. Show at least ten to earn credit but the more Mr. B sees your campaign pin the more points you earn. You can show Mr. B a picture of the first ten people but after that you’ll need to educate a voter on the campaign & the issues and bring them to Mr. B.

c. Identify potential voters – for a fee, real life campaigns can buy voter rolls in specific areas. These are used to contact voters before the election to try to persuade them to vote a particular way. For three bathroom bucks, you can purchase a roster of the class that will be voting in this election. Use this information to help people make their minds up early. Write a one paragraph statement about why you did or did not choose to pay for this information.

d. Bonus - Other flashy stuff! Voters love handouts. Extra signs get extra attention. Mr. B will be generous with bonus points for extra work that you do. Be creative.

2. Get the Message Out! (30 Points) ___________

- “Controlling the Message” is essential for candidates. You want to be the one that determines what subjects will be discussed and what ones will be avoided. Create each of the items below to steer the discussion onto topics that you are comfortable with.

a. Three “issue posters”. These should still be simple and readable but should offer a little more information on where the opponent stands on important issues. Each poster should explain how your candidate will solve a different problem if they are elected. Issue posters should be eye catching and illustrated.

b. Two dozen “push cards”. Candidates use these to address as many of the issues as possible. These are distributed by hand or by mail to potential voters. They should include a picture or two, slogans, contact information, a biography and the most detailed explanation of why your candidate is the man or woman for the job. You should create enough of these for everyone in the class that will be voting to get one. These will need to be completed early because they will be distributed the day before the election. You can use a computer to design and print these.

c. A twenty to thirty second commercial that “sells” your candidate. This can be as creative as you like but keep it clean.

3. Connect With the Voters (25 Points)_____________

- Signs and buttons are great but the most certain way to get a voter to support you is through face to face contact. Complete the assignments below to let the people know that you are on their side.

a. Write a two minute “stump speech” to be delivered in front of a crowd of voters before the party primary. In your speech you should describe the problem that you think needs to be addressed, explain your plans to address it and ask for the support of the voters. The best speeches will stay “in character” – they will be written in language that might have been used by a Populist candidate in 1892 and will address the real concerns of the Populist Party at that time.

b. “Gladhand”. For just a few minutes before the speeches and debate you will be able to meet the voters and try to persuade them to vote for your candidate. This is the time to pull out all the stops.

c. Deliver your “stump speech”. Showtime for the candidates. Deliver the speech that you and/or your staff wrote to win over the voters. Be believable. Staff members should be sure to provide positive support for their candidate throughout the speech but will be respectful of opponents during their speeches.

d. Participate in a five-minute mini-debate. Questions will be written and asked by members of the Populist Party Election Commission (Mr. B and/or student volunteers). Be on your toes and score some points with the voters.

4. Look Back at Your Accomplishments (25 Points) ____________

- Whether you win or lose, you will have accomplished a lot by the end of this assignment. You will have simulated the structure and hectic pace of a real campaign. After the votes are counted and the winner is announced, you will complete an evaluation of yourself and the other people involved in this project. Be honest.

Campaign Teams

1st Block

Andre Matina Owen Edwards

Chanté Lindsey

Makayla Tiara

Justise Aaliyah

Lillian Ja’nya B

Audrey

2nd Block

Caitlin Pennell Claire Stewart

Megan Kiana

Carter Alexander

Vincent Katie

Brianna Cassie

Gage

3rd Block

Keeth Prince Tim Bellipanni Jamie Hocker

Amelia Trea Carl

Claire Tyler Kasie

JoHana Jeremiah Julie

Austin Kendall Sonya

Ashlynn Ana Lacy Jared

Kristina Olivia Gage

Grey Kolby Jess

Josh Taylor Emily U.

Rowan

5th Block

Kendall Kameron Mark

Malik Malik Whitney

Latajah Jalen Robert

Gaven Jalane Tiffany

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