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Lesson

Che Guevara and Injustice

Duration
60 min
Grade
9–12
Published
Jul 16, 2023
Black and white portrait of a man wearing a beret and jacket, with a serious expression against a plain background.
How did the Communist system Che Guevara fought for and helped install lead to great injustice in Cuba and contribute to global communist injustice?

Founding Principles

Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Liberty, Limited Government, Property Rights, Rule of Law

Virtues

Justice

Guiding questions

Essential Question

  • What is the importance of justice in a healthy civil society?

Guiding Questions

  • How does justice support individual freedom and other founding principles?
  • How does injustice violate individual freedom and founding principles?
  • When injustice occurs, what means are necessary to combat it?
  • How do we know that our means are productive and just? 

Learning Objectives

  • Students will identify the benefits of justice in civil society by reflecting on their own ideas on just and unjust actions.
  • Students will analyze a primary source and use evidence to assess Che Guevara’s Marxist ideas and his brand of revolutionary justice for Cuba.
  • Students will reflect on the importance of individual freedoms in a healthy civil society.

Materials

Student Resources

Teacher Resources

  • Analysis Questions
  • Virtue in Action
  • Journal Activity
  • Sources for Further Reading
  • Virtue Across the Curriculum

Lesson Components

ActivityChe Guevara and Injustice Narrative
ActivityJust or Unjust Activity
ActivityPrimary Source: “The Social Ideas of the Rebel Army,” Che Guevara, January 27, 1959

Lesson plan

60 minClick a phase to open it

Key Terms

Communism
A political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society where all property is publicly owned, and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.
Capitalism
An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.
Beleaguered
In a very difficult situation.
Injustice
To harm others by applying unequal rules and damaging another’s inalienable rights and dignity.
Justice
Upholding of what is fair and right. Respecting the rights and dignity of all.

More Information

Procedures

  • The following lesson asks students to consider the importance of justice. Students will engage with the story of Che Guevara as they consider the question: What is the importance of justice in a healthy civil society?
  • The main activity in this lesson requires students to read and analyze a narrative that explores how Che Guevara’s ideas on justice led to unjust choices in his leadership. If you edit the number of discussion questions, the lesson will take closer to 60 minutes than 120 minutes.
  • Students will also conduct a primary source analysis of a statement written by Guevara.
  • The lesson ends with reflection exercises to connect the historical example of Guevara with your students’ daily lives.
  • Additionally, the lesson includes sources used in this lesson for further reading and suggestions for cross-curricular connections.

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →

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