Franklin Pierce: Forgotten President
Author Michael Gerhardt talks about the presidency of Franklin Pierce. ** This clip is part of C-SPAN Classroom's FREE resources for teachers and students. Visit www.c-spanclassroom.org for more info. **
Description
An overview of the presidency of Franklin Pierce.
Bell Ringer Assignment
- Describe the reactions of Jane Pierce and Nathaniel Hawthorne to Franklin Pierce being named the Democratic nominee for the presidency.
- How did Pierce rise to become the Democratic nominee?
- Explain the tragedy that the Pierce family experienced on their way to Washington, DC for his inauguration and the effect it had on them.
- What position did Franklin Pierce and Jefferson Davis share on the Constitution and slavery?
- Explain the circumstances surrounding Kansas becoming a state.
- What was the end result and legacy of the Pierce presidency?
Participants
Vocabulary
- Bleeding Kansas
- Bowdoin College
- Doughface
- Jefferson Davis
- Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Nullification
- Secession
- Strict Constructionist