The American Vote
Cold War RealignmentAll 5 grade bands · K-2 through APFree download

1988

Lesson plan.
George H. W. Bush vs Michael Dukakis — Vice President George H. W. Bush won decisively over Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis by effectively tying himself to Reagan's popular legacy. The campaign is remembered for vicious negative advertising, including the Willie Horton ad attacking Dukakis on crime, and Dukakis's awkward photo in a tank. Dukakis had led in polls after the Democratic convention but faltered in the fall. Bush promised to continue Reaganomics and won the South and much of the Midwest handily.
What is in each packet
Contents of each grade band’s packet
BandReadingVocabularyQuestionsDiscussionAlso
K-2472 words4 terms31 promptimage, answer key
3-51412 words5 terms41 promptanswer key
6-8931 words7 terms62 promptsprimary source, answer key
9-12704 words7 terms72 promptsprimary source, answer key
AP565 words9 terms81 promptprimary source, second source, long essay, answer key
Primary sources quoted
  • Republican National Convention Acceptance Address
    George H.W. Bush, August 18, 1988 · 6-8, 9-12, AP
    Bush, "Republican National Convention Acceptance Address" (New Orleans, August 18, 1988). Fair use under 17 USC §107 — educational excerpt of public political speech, ≤150 words.
  • Lee Atwater Deathbed Apology (Life Magazine interview)
    Lee Atwater (interview by Todd Brewster), February 1991 · AP
    Atwater, Lee. Interview by Todd Brewster, "Lee Atwater's Last Campaign," Life Magazine, February 1991. Public domain (deceased author, journalistic interview).
Quick quiz

Five questions on 1988

Every answer here is read off the 1988 returns — the same rows the packets below are built from.

  1. Who won the 1988 presidential election?

    • AWalter Mondale
    • BMichael Dukakis
    • CRonald Reagan
    • DGeorge H. W. Bush
  2. Which party did the winner of the 1988 election represent?

    • ARepublican
    • BLiberal Republican
    • CProgressive
    • DDemocratic
  3. How many electoral votes did George H. W. Bush win in 1988?

    • A270
    • B525
    • C426
    • D111
  4. Which of these states did George H. W. Bush carry in 1988?

    • ARhode Island
    • BWest Virginia
    • CLouisiana
    • DWisconsin
  5. Which era of American politics does the 1988 election belong to?

    • ASecond Party System
    • BCold War Realignment
    • CGilded Age
    • DFirst Party System

Not yet fact-checked. This packet was drafted with AI tools and has not been checked claim by claim. Please verify its facts before teaching from it. Tell us about an error.

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