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This activity explores the 1944 U.S. presidential election between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Thomas E. Dewey. Students will analyze campaign posters, political cartoons, and speeches to understand key issues such as World War II, the New Deal, FDR’s historic fourth term, and postwar planning. The resource highlights how the election reflected Americans’ desire for steady leadership during a global crisis, concerns about presidential power, and debates over the future of government and peace in a changing world. Included in this resource: Do Now - Roosevelt and Dewey under the Statue of Liberty 1944 primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions Election of 1940 reading passage with corresponding scaffolding questions Document Activity (pass or stations) with scaffolding questions Document #1: Election of 1944 electoral map Document #2: Dewey campaign poster Document #3: Roosevelt campaign poster Document #4: Dewey campaign speech excerpt Document #5: Roosevelt campaign speech excerpt Thomas Dewey on the Election of 1944 POV with scaffolding questions FDR on the Election of 1944 POV with scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did Franklin D. Roosevelt’s fourth election in 1944 lead to changes in how long a president can serve? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the causes of World War II, the role of alliances, and the United States’ path from neutrality to war. Students will analyze a historical political cartoon, examine the rise of the Axis and Allied Powers, and investigate why the U.S. initially stayed out of the conflict. The resource highlights key events like Germany’s invasion of Poland, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Lend-Lease Act. It also emphasizes how fear, aggression, and global alliances shaped the outbreak of war, encouraging students to think critically about leadership, national security, and the impact of entering a global conflict. Included in this resource: Do Now - “Waiting for the Signal from Home” 1942 primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions Causes, Alliances, and Rising Tensions reading passage with corresponding scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did the United States’ entry into World War II change the direction of the war? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the rise of totalitarian leaders and the causes of World War II. Students will analyze political cartoons, propaganda posters, and firsthand perspectives to understand how dictators like Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Joseph Stalin gained power. The resource highlights key concepts such as fascism, communism, the Holocaust, and the dangers of appeasement. It also emphasizes how fear, propaganda, and loss of individual freedoms helped lead the world into a global conflict, encouraging students to think critically about government power and human rights. Included in this resource: Do Now - “Rendezvous” 1939 primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions Rise of Totalitarianism reading passage with corresponding scaffolding questions RAFT Activity: Totalitarianism and WWII R = Role A = Audience F = Format T = Topic RAFT Choice Board RAFT Rubric for students Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: Why was the rise of totalitarian leaders like Hitler and Stalin so dangerous for the world? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.

This activity explores the 1940 U.S. presidential election between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Wendell Willkie. Students will analyze campaign posters, political cartoons, and speeches to understand key issues like the New Deal, defense, and FDR’s historic third term. The resource highlights how the election reflected fears of war, hopes for recovery, and a changing role for the presidency in a time of global crisis. Included in this resource: Do Now - “All Eyes on Uncle Sam” 1940 primary source political cartoon analysis with scaffolding questions Election of 1940 reading passage with corresponding scaffolding questions Document Activity (pass or stations) with scaffolding questions Document #1: Election of 1940 electoral map Document #2: Roosevelt campaign poster Document #3: Willkie campaign poster Document #4: Willkie campaign speech excerpt Document #5: Roosevelt campaign speech excerpt Wendell Willkie on the Election of 1940 POV with scaffolding questions FDR on the Election of 1940 POV with scaffolding questions Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: Why did FDR’s third-term victory in the 1940 election lead to a change in the U.S. Constitution? Answer key for teachers (suggested) ©2025 A Social Studies Life For personal use only. Duplication for an entire school, an entire school system, or for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden. Please have other teachers purchase their own copy. If you are a school or district interested in purchasing several licenses, please contact me for a district-wide quote.