Lesson
Theodore Roosevelt: Warrior for Public Justice
How did Theodore Roosevelt seek justice by reforming the meat packing industry? Explore Roosevelt’s dedication to justice and the general welfare of the nation and inspire students to be more focused on justice in their own lives.
Founding Principles
Guiding questions
Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.
- What challenges are you facing?
- What fears or concerns might you have?
- What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?
Observation Questions
- Who was Theodore Roosevelt?
- What was his role in passing the Meat Inspection Act?
- What responsibility did Theodore Roosevelt feel toward the people of the United States?
Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.
- What is the historical context of the narrative?
- What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
- How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
- How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
- How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
- What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
- Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
- How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?
Learning objectives
- Students will analyze Theodore Roosevelt’s performance in the passage of the Meat Inspection Act.
- Students will understand how they can pursue justice in their own lives.
Lesson Components
Standards
Advanced Placement
- Justice,
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