Alabama Social Studies SS24.USG.10

SS24.USG.10 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• SS24.USG.10a

  Describe how third-party candidates have historically affected elections in the United States, and evaluate the arguments for and against their inclusion in con...

• SS24.USG.10b

  Assess the impact of political parties on citizens and elected officials, including the increase of political polarization, rise of independent voters, and disi...

01

What Students Need to Do

Students explain what state and national conventions do and how party leaders support candidates. They use past elections to explain how third-party candidates can affect results and weigh arguments for including them. They examine how party loyalty and polarization affect voters and elected officials.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can match delegate selection, presidential nomination, and fundraising to the party groups responsible. They can use the 1912 election to explain both the choice Roosevelt offered voters and the risk of splitting votes, without claiming his run alone decided the result. They can explain why a voter might identify as independent and how party pressure can shape a lawmaker's vote.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think a state convention formally nominates the presidential candidate, rather than the national convention. They may assume every third-party voter would otherwise choose the same major-party candidate. They may mistake independent identification for political apathy or think party leaders can order lawmakers' votes.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Wilson won 42% of the vote in 1912, Roosevelt 27%, and Taft 23%; name one job each for a state convention, national convention, and party chair, then give one benefit and one risk of Roosevelt's run.

1. 01

   Sort cards for selecting delegates, nominating a president, and raising funds under state convention, national convention, or party chair.

2. 02

   Show 1912 vote totals and ask students to argue whether Roosevelt's run increased voter choice or risked splitting votes.

3. 03

   Give pairs six mock voter cards with party labels and ballots; they tally party-line voting and test whether independents vote alike.

4. 04

   Open a recent Senate roll-call vote, sort senators by party label, and check how often members voted with their party.

• SS24.6.20

  Trace the development of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican political parties in the 1790s, and describe the role of political parties in the American pol...

• SS24.6.13

  Describe major ideas, concepts, and limitations of the Constitution of the United States.

• SS24.US1.3a

  Identify and explain factors leading to the development of political parties, including the conflicting views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, George...