Introduction

Enduring Knowledge: The political balance of the Supreme Court has shifted throughout our history due to various influences, ideology of the justices, and different views on how to interpret the Constitution.

Analyze the political cartoon below. Think about the following questions:

  • What does President Franklin Roosevelt want?
  • What reaction is he getting from the donkey?
  • The donkey represents the Democratic Party and FDR was a Democrat.
  • Why would Roosevelt's own party "kick back" against his request?

Open Political Cartoon in a new tab | Political cartoon text version

This 1937 Clifford Berryman political cartoon is titled "FDR's 1937 Court-packing proposal" (IRC).

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • review the appointment process for justices.
  • explain the political positioning by both political parties behind new court appointments.
  • identify the effect of restraint or activism on the decisions of the Court.
  • contrast strict and loose constructionist views.
  • describe the influence of public opinion and desire for impartiality on court decisions.
  • continue work on the collaborative project.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Government objective(s): 13.3, 13.4.

This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R1, R2, R4, R7, W2, W4 and Collaborative Research Project - W5, W6, W7, W8, W9, W10.

 

    Next Page