Lesson plan

Lesson Plan: Charm Offensive – Teaching With Primary Sources (Scaffolded Writing Resources)

Grades 7-12

For American politicians, the obsession with appealing to the everyman dates back to the raucous presidential campaign of 1840. William Henry Harrison’s 1840 campaign set the stage for modern-day political campaigning. Harrison flipped the script, turning an insult into a winning strategy with parades, songs, and a log cabin image. These early tactics mirror today’s campaigns, where image and public appeal can have an outsize impact.