Curricular Resources > 1989 Volume I > Unit 9 (89.01.09) > Section 4

American Communities, 1880-1980

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 89.01.09

Unit Guide

“Lynch Law”—An American Community Enigma

Henry A. Rhodes

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RESOURCES

NEWSPAPERS*

ALABAMA JOURNAL

ATLANTA JOURNAL

NEW YORK HERALD-TRIBUNE

ATLANTA WORLD

BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

PITTSBURGH COURIER

CHICAGO CRUSADER

*These newspapers should be used to examine the press coverage of the Parker lynching, they could also be used to review press coverage of other lynchings.

LESSON PLAN 1

Objective Students will research the etymology of lynch law.

Content Outline
*Lynch Law by James Elbert Cutler

*Judge Lynch; His First Hundred Years by Frank Shay

Procedure

1. Break students into groups of threes and take them to the library.
a. One student will serve as the recorder, one student will serve as the researcher, and one student will serve as the reporter.
2. Each group will be responsible for finding two stories on how lynch law evolved.
3. The reporter, on returning to class, will present the group’s findings.
4. Review the different accounts, then present the etymology most commonly accepted.

LESSON PLAN 2

Objective Students will write their reactions to five lynchings.

Content Outline Have copies of ‘The Story of One Hundred Lynchings’.

Procedure

1. Distribute copies of ‘The Story of One Hundred Lynchings’.
2. Students are to choose at least five stories and write a brief synopsis of each incident.
3. After, students should write their reactions to the lynchings.
4. Then students can share the stories they chose and discuss the cases.

LESSON PLAN 3

Objective Students will write a 1-2 page paper describing the racist group depicted in the film Betrayal.

Content Outline “BETRAYAL” video

Procedure

1. Prior to viewing film, discuss the three different Klan eras described by Charles C. Anderson in his text.
2. Explain to students that while they are watching “Betrayal”, they should focus on the white racist group.
3. Explain to students written assignment.
a. 1-2 page written assignment describing “ZOG”.
b. Students should include which Klan era is depicted.
4. View “Betrayal” (this could take 2-3 class periods)
5. After viewing film, have students begin assignment.

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