Assassinations That Changed The World: The Loner Meets The President

Assassinations That Changed the World presents an in-depth examination of assassinations that have changed the course of political events and world history. It provides not only a journalistic account of pivotal assassinations, but also an historical analysis, emphasizing the political/social prelude to the assassination and the repercussions. Using assassinations as a lens, Assassinations That Changed The World provides a complex study of modern world events. This series would be useful for classes on World History, Political Science, Religion and World Cultures. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Part III: The Loner Meets the President

The Loner Meets the President examines assassinations and assassination attempts on American presidents from Andrew Jackson to Ronald Reagan. It explores the unique character of American political assassinations, different from other assassinations in that the American political system provides for the removal of a leader by election. As such, American assassins tend to be more socially maladjusted than their foreign counterparts with a political or religious agenda.

Vocabulary Discussion Questions

  1. What is the difference between American assassinations and assassinations in other countries? What is the difference between the assassins?
  2. Four U.S. presidents have been assassinated and eleven have survived assassination attempts. Why would a president be assassinated when the American political system provides for the removal of the president by election?
  3. With the possible exception of John F. Kennedy, no other American assassination is more famous than the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. What was the impetus or reason behind Lincoln's assassination?
  4. Today Abraham Lincoln is a venerated and respected president. But in 1865 Lincoln was hated as much as he was loved. Why were the feelings and opinions about Lincoln so polarized?
  5. When President James A. Garfield was assassinated in 1881, his death was mourned by the people of the United States almost as much as Lincoln's. Yet, today he is barely remembered. Why do you think this is? Why is Lincoln still so famous?
  6. President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901. Some historians feel that McKinley's assassination was a symptom of America's problems with industrialization. How could McKinley's death be a reflection of America's adjustment to industrialization?
  7. In 1933, President-elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt. The assassin's bullet missed Roosevelt and struck Chicago mayor Anton Cermak instead. How might American history be different if Roosevelt was assassinated before he even became president?
  8. What role did television play in the assassination of John F. Kennedy?
  9. Almost every American is keenly aware of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. There have been numerous books written and movies produced on this topic. Why are the American people so fascinated with the assassination of John F. Kennedy?

Extended Activities
  1. Create a timeline illustrating the assassinations and assassination attempts on U.S. presidents. What do you notice about the frequency of assassination attempts? Discuss how technology might have an influence on your findings.
  2. Interview a parent, grandparent, or anyone who is old enough to remember the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Some of the questions you might ask are: Do you remember what you were doing when you found out about the assassination?; What was your reaction?; What influence did the assassination have on America?; How do you think the assassination changed American history?
Classroom Materials
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