U.S. Social Movements through Biography

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 21.01.04

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction
  2. School Information and Demographics
  3. Rational
  4. The Storm
  5. Two David’s, One Nucleus
  6. New Technology
  7. The Field Operation
  8. Get Out the Vote
  9. Classroom Activities
  10. Appendix on Implementing District Standards
  11. Notes
  12. Bibliography

Mobilizing Change: Lessons Learned from Obama’s 2008 Campaign

Sean Means

Published September 2021

Tools for this Unit:

Guide Entry to 21.01.04

This unit is for History teachers. It should be applied by teachers who want to demonstrate how campaigns are assembled, organized, and run. The Obama campaign of 2008 was a lesson in how appropriate strategizing can lead to positive outcomes. The unit begins by surveying America before the 2008 election, it highlights the state of the economy, the national debt, and how America was fighting on a two-war front. 

 After providing context on the nation’s current state, it moves to how Obama’s team began to mobilize through a variety of entry points. It is important to understand that this unit is not primarily about the candidate's story, instead, it pays homage to the organization that paved the way for his presidency. The unit highlights how technology, fundraising, competent staffing, and the proper execution of well-planned tactics can lead to positive outcomes. Students should leave the lesson with a better understanding of the importance of civic duty and why proper preparation is essential to the execution and achievement of any goal they might set for themselves.

(Developed for Social Justice, grade 12; recommended for U. S. History, grade 11, Civics, grade 9, and Social Justice, grade 12)

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