Chester A. Arthur Presidency Overview

How did Chester A. Arthur’s presidency contribute to the reform of the American civil service system, and what were the long-term effects of these reforms on the federal government’s operations? This lesson and activity examines the early life, education, background, presidency and legacy of President Chester A. Arthur. Students will analyze documents and answer corresponding scaffolding questions. They will answer the final summary question to apply their knowledge.

Included in this resource:

Do Now - Chester A. Arthur’s inaugural address primary source analysis and questions
Chester A. Arthur document pass/station activity with corresponding scaffolding questions
Document 1: Early Life and Career
Document 2: Ascendancy to the Presidency
Document 3: Tenure in Office - Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act 1883, Chinese Exclusion Act
Document 4: Political Views
Document 5: Legacy
Spotlight On: Chester A. Arthur
Chester A. Arthur POV and scaffolding questions
Create a legacy brochure of Chester A. Arthur with rubric
Application/Closing/Higher-Order Thinking Assessment: How did Chester A. Arthur’s unexpected presidency impact the trajectory of United States governance, particularly in terms of civil service reform and government efficiency, and why do these changes remain significant in American political history?
Answer key for teachers (suggested)
★Please make an executive decision whether or not this lesson can be executed with your students based upon the preview file. Thank you!

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