Relates to the following Social Studies Standards: Lafayette Park: First Amendment Rights on the President’s Doorstep Standard 2E-The student understands how a democratic polity debates social issues and mediates between individual or group rights and the common good.Standard 1C–The student understands the limitations of Progressivism and the alternatives offered by various groups.Įra 10: Contemporary United States (1968 to the Present).Standard 1B–The student understands Progressivism at the national level.Standard 3B–The student understands the guarantees of the Bill of Rights and its continuing significance.Įra 7: The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930).Relates to the following National Standards for History:Įra 3: Revolution and the New Nation (1754-1820s) Lafayette Park: First Amendment Rights on the President's Doorstep United States History Standards for Grades 5-12 Topics: This lesson could be used in American history, social studies, government, and civics courses in units on early 20th century reform movements, American political history, or women’s history. This lesson is one in a series that brings the important stories of historic places into classrooms across the country. The lesson was made possible by a generous grant from the White House Historical Association. The lesson was written by Marilyn Harper, former Teaching with Historic Places historian, and edited by staff members of the Teaching with Historic Places program, President’s Park, National Park Service, and the White House Historical Association. This lesson is based on the National Register of Historic Places documentation “ Lafayette Square Historic District” ( with photos) and on materials on Lafayette Park and the National Woman’s Party (NWP). Lafayette Square, in Washington, D.C., is listed in the National Register of Historic Places by virtue of its designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1970. All of these people have presented their causes and their grievances to the president in Lafayette Park-where he could not ignore them. citizens and foreign nationals also protest on issues or events occurring around the world that they believe the United States should be aware of and become involved in. Groups and individuals have demonstrated against the Vietnam War, for rights for gays and lesbians, for and against abortion, and for civil rights. The 19th Amendment, guaranteeing all women in America the right to vote, finally became part of the Constitution in 1920, three years after the first pickets marched to the White House.īy exercising their First Amendment rights, the women provided a model for many others. The women continued to demand their rights, in spite of the violence they endured. Some lawyers thought the sentences imposed were in violation of the First Amendment. Many people were shocked when they learned about the women’s treatment. The police began to arrest them and to imprison them under harsh conditions. The NWP pickets began to encounter violent reactions from onlookers after the United States entered the First World War in April 1917. What better place to exercise those rights than in front of the White House? When these brave women chose to take their protest to the president’s front door, they blazed a trail for thousands of Americans who have come to Lafayette Park to exercise their right as citizens-their right to be heard. Constitution guarantees all Americans freedom of speech and of assembly and the right to petition their government. They maintained their vigil every day for two months, through the rain and snow of January and February 1917. Their banners demanded that President Woodrow Wilson help them in their campaign to get all American women the same right to vote that American men already had. They came from the headquarters of the National Woman’s Party (NWP) on Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. Highsmith, 2006, Library of Congress.Įvery day the women with their banners marched across the park to take up positions in front of the White House. "Aerial view of Lafayette Park and Washington Mall, Washington, D.C." Carol M.
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