Grades 9-12 Lesson Plan - Fulfilling the Visions

Map 12 Main Page

Core Map: Rand McNally Junior Auto Trails Map, Florida (Chicago: Rand McNally for Texaco, ca. 1924). Newberry Library call number: RMcN AE 017.2   © 1924 by RMC, R.L.03-S-87. www.randmcnally.com (Printable PDF version of the Core Map)

Overview
In this lesson students investigate the economic implications of public programs to improve transportation. Students will become familiar with the visions that were articulated for both the Erie Canal and Interstate Highway System. They will then compare them with the results they both achieved.

Objectives
By the end of this lesson students are expected to:

1. recognize the importance of the Erie Canal and the Interstate Highway System as transportation networks.
2. compare the visions for both projects with their outcomes.
3. evaluate which project best achieved its vision.

Key Terms
interstate highway, key, map, symbol

Materials
Computer image or overhead of core map, copies of core map for students, map of the Erie Canal (see Resources), road guides or travel diary (see Resources).

Time
One hour plus research time

Getting Started

1. Share with students a historic map of the region around the Erie Canal (see Resources).

2. Present the core map on the computer, in printed form, or on an overhead transparency.

3. Allow students time to search the map for background information that helps them understand what is on the map (names, drawings, title, etc.). See the curator's notes for specific explanations of the map symbols.

4. Have students complete a survey of the conditions of automobile/truck transportation shown on the map. There are many symbols shown in the legend that explain information on the map to inform this survey. Students may also access the road guides for descriptions of road conditions (see Resources).

5. Discuss with students how what they found differs from their perception of automobile travel today.

1. Share with students the following quotation from President Dwight Eisenhower, added to the Clay Committee report of 1955 on the proposed creation of the Federal Highway Corporation

   "Our unity as a nation is sustained by free communication of thought and by easy transportation of people and goods. The ceaseless flow of information throughout the republic is matched by individual and commercial movement over a vast system of interconnected highway crisscrossing the country and joining at our national borders with friendly neighbors to the north and south.

   Together, the united forces of our communication and transportation systems are dynamic elements in very name we bear-United States. Without them, we would be a mere alliance of many separate parts."

2. Discuss with students the meaning of any part of President Dwight Eisenhower's statement that is not clear to them.

3. Students are to compare the fulfillment of the vision of President Eisenhower for the Interstate Highway System with the reality of the national highway system today, using Florida as a case study. Assign students to write a paper of at least five paragraphs that:
   • clearly states which project most fulfilled the visions that were held for them,
   • provides at least two pieces of evidence to support that position,
   • refutes an argument that the other position could raise,
   • and summarizes the paper (should include a restatement of the thesis).
   Students should access cartographic, text, and data resources to make their arguements and should also make specific reference to information contained in the core map. See Resources for links to some material that can be found on the web.

For 4 points, the student writes a paper of at least five paragraphs that clearly states whether or not today's national highway system fulfilled the vision of President Eisenhower, provides at least two pieces of evidence to support that position, refutes an arguement that the opposing position could raise, and summarizes the piece.

For 3 points, the student writes a paper of at least five paragraphs that states whether or not today's national highway system fulfilled the vision of President Eisenhower, provides at least one piece of evidence to support that position, acknowledges an arguement that the opposing position could raise, and summarizes the piece.

For 2 points, the student writes a paper of at least four paragraphs that states whether or not today's national highway system fulfilled the vision of President Eisenhower, provides some evidence to support that position, and attempts to summarize the piece.

For 1 point, the student writes a paper of at least three paragraphs that states whether or not today's national highway system fulfilled the vision of President Eisenhower and provides some evidence to support that position.

Extensions

1. Students could compare the roles government has played, and is playing, in the airline and railroad systems with those studied above.
2. Students could compare the different roles government plays in facilitating transportation in different countries.
3. Students could compare the development of the interstate highway system with that of the canal system in the United States in the nineteenth century.
   1. Share with students a historic map of the region around the Erie Canal (see Resources).
   2. Read New York Governor Dewitt Clinton's statement of his vision for the canal.

      "As a bond of union between the Atlantic and Western states, it may prevent the dismemberment of the American Empire. As an organ of communication between the Hudson, the Mississippi, the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes of the north and west and their tributary rivers, it will create the greatest inland trade ever witnessed. The most fertile and extensive regions of America will avail themselves of its facilities for a market."

   3. Discuss with students the meaning of Governor Dewitt Clinton's statement and vision. Have students research (or share with them) the impact of the canal. See Resources for some web sites that provide background on this.
   4. Have students write about or discuss whether or nor Governor Clinton's hopes for the canal were realized.