Case Study: The Sacco and Vanzetti Trial

Synopsis of activity:

This case study will allow the students to examine and evaluate multiple aspects of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial including the details of the crime, the background of the two men, the political climate, eyewitness testimony, and physical evidence. This is a great companion to a unit about the post-WWI depression, the 1919 Red Scare, and the anti-immigrant sentiment of the 1920s.

Role of the teacher:

Prepare all the materials ahead of time. Guide the students through the background of the case. Instruct the students to evaluate all of the evidence and use the Core Democratic Values to reach a decision about the fairness of the outcome of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial.

Time required: a one-hour (or so) class period (not including time to complete the assessment report).

Learning Objectives:

The students will use evidence from the case study to decide if Sacco and Vanzetti were guilty of the crimes.

The students will determine whether the Sacco and Vanzetti investigation and trial were conducted fairly or not.

The students will discuss which Core Democratic Values were followed/not followed during this case. (Optional)

Grading/Assessment:

The students will draft a “Student Report” on the case as an assessment grade.

A “graded discussion” could be held after the activity and used as an assessment grade.

The “Student Evidence Page” could be used as formative assessment or homework grade.