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The Heroic Posture: Do the Words Military and Politics Go Together? Over the course of this nation's history, Americans have on many occasions gravitated toward
presidential candidates with military backgrounds. This lesson incorporates analysis of the importance of the qualities and characteristics of military presidents with "The Heroic Posture" video segment. Using retrieval
charts, students analyze the four-featured presidents (George Washington, William Henry Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower), and compare them to current presidential candidates who also have significant military
backgrounds. A compare and contrast essay assignment provides students with the opportunity to present their final perspectives. This lesson would be appropriate for American government and American history classes. Objectives Students will:
Time Required The whole lesson including the viewing of the video will take approximately two class periods. Materials
Initial Motivation Begin the first day by brainstorming the qualities and
characteristics which leaders possess. Explain to the students that they will be watching a video that focuses on four presidents who served as military leaders before their presidencies. Procedures Day One
1. Show "The Heroic Posture" video up to President Eisenhower. (This is advisable due to possible class time constraints, especially if the class is not on a block schedule.) 2. Students should take
notes on the video, focusing their observations on the feelings that each president had while serving his term(s) in office.
Day Two
1. Finish the Eisenhower segment. Discuss the video as a class. 2. The students will use their notes to complete a chart that will aid them in comparing and contrasting the four
presidents featured in the video. This retrieval chart is located at the end of this lesson plan. 3. On the same chart, students will add their analysis of current candidates John McCain and George W. Bush to compare
them with past military presidents; a teacher led discussion or newspaper clippings would probably help students evaluate these candidates. 4. Have students predict what might be the outcome of McCain's and/or Bush's
presidency based on what they've learned about past military presidents.
Independent Practice Have students complete essays comparing and contrasting the presidents featured. At the end of their essays, students should respond to the following discussion questions:
What qualities would a military leader need to possess to be considered by voters for the presidency? Do you think in these times of peace that a military candidate would have a good chance at being president? Why? Below is a suggested essay outline:
I. Introduction - Students give a brief definition of leadership and a thesis statement to support what they will be talking about in their essay II. Washington
- Students summarize from their retrieval charts III. Harrison - Students summarize from their retrieval charts IV. Grant - Students summarize from their retrieval charts
V. Eisenhower - Students summarize from their retrieval charts VI. Summary - Wrap up some similarities and differences VII. Answer discussion questions
Assessment Students can be graded on the completion of the retrieval chart. The essays can be graded by using a rubric that assigns points to each section (i.e., 70 points possible, 10 points for each
section). Extension Activities Students can do research on the other military presidents and include them in a complete retrieval chart: James Monroe
Cynthia Weeden teaches history in O'Fallon, Missouri. Retrieval Chart
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