Presidential Transitions
Use these slides to access videos and activities to help you learn more about presidential transitions. Make a copy of this slide presentation to write in your answers and complete activities.
TEACHER NOTE: to use this resource in your classroom - click ‘file’ and then click ‘make a copy’ to create your own Google Doc version to edit as needed and share with your students.
Introduction
View the following video clip to learn about the history of presidential transitions. Answer each question in the space provided.
Video Clip 1: Historical Presidential Transitions (4:21)
What is meant by a presidential transition? |
|
How has the size of government and the federal bureaucracy grown since the Franklin Roosevelt administration? How does this impact presidential transitions? |
|
Why does Ms. Perry describe the Buchanan-Lincoln transition in 1861 as the worst presidential transition? |
|
What actions did President Lincoln take during the 1861 transition? |
|
Why does Ms. Perry describe the Reagan-Bush transition in 1989 as the best presidential transition? |
|
Exploration of Presidential Transitions
Using the video clips linked in the following slides, explore the challenges that incoming presidents face and actions that outgoing administrations can take to address these challenges.
EXPLORATION: Presidential Transitions and the 2008 Financial Crisis
Video Clip 2: Presidential Transition and the 2008 Financial Crisis (4:48) | Challenges Facing New Presidents | Successful Strategies to Address these Challenges |
| |
EXPLORATION: National Security and Presidential Transitions
Video Clip 3: National Security and Presidential Transitions (4:57) | Challenges Facing New Presidents | Successful Strategies to Address these Challenges |
| |
EXPLORATION: Presidential Transitions and Role-Playing Exercises
Video Clip 4: Presidential Transitions and Role-playing Exercises (5:33) | Challenges Facing New Presidents | Successful Strategies to Address these Challenges |
| |
EXPLORATION: Presidential Transitions and Working with Congress
Video Clip 5: Presidential Transitions and Working with Congress (3:27) | Challenges Facing New Presidents | Successful Strategies to Address these Challenges |
| |
APPLICATION: Best Practices
| Summary of the Best Practice | When/If it has been used During Previous Transitions | Benefits of this Best Practice |
1. | | | |
2. | | | |
3. | | | |
4. | | | |
5. | | | |
Use your notes from the sections above to develop a list of five best practices that should be used during presidential transitions. Explain when/if it has been used during previous transitions and the benefits of this best practice.