Realpolitik in 1793

Lesson Purpose

A lesson that draws a connection between the realpolitik practiced during the Nixon administration and George Washington’s foreign policy practices. Students explore the application of modern foreign policy styles to 18th-century diplomatic situations and make interdisciplinary connections between history and government/civics. This resource was created by 2013-2014 Life Guard Teacher Fellow Hannah Markwardt. 

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Objectives

• Students will define realpolitik and ideological foreign policy styles
• Students will apply those modern foreign policy styles to 18th century situations
• Students will use textual evidence to make an argument about Washington’s diplomatic precedents

Related Standards

• Reading and Writing Literacy in History/Social Studies
• Writing Standards
• Principles of Democracy
• Power, Authority, and Governance
• Time, Continuity, and Change