Summary: In this activity, students will analyze a petition filed by Eli Whitney with Congress to renew his patent on his infamous invention - the Cotton Gin. This activity can be used during a unit on slavery or intellectual property. This lesson concludes with an extension activity, asking students to draft an answer to the following: Imagine you were a member of Congress that received this petition from Eli Whitney. Would you have voted in favor or against Eli Whitney's petition to renew his patent for the cotton gin? Why or why not?
Overarching Questions:
- CIVICS: Have the concepts of liberty, justice and/or equality changed during the time period? If so, how and what has been the impact?
- NEW JERSEY: How has technology (e.g., ships, canals, railroads, newspapers, telegraphs, radio, television, the Internet and social media) spread ideas and influenced public opinion, the economy and/or the government? Did the changes strengthen or weaken democratic institutions?
NJ Student Learning Standards for Social Studies:
- 6.1.12.EconET.3.a: Relate the wealth of natural resources to the economic development of the United States and to the quality of life of individuals.
- 6.1.12.EconGE.3.a: Analyze how technological developments transformed the economy, created international markets, and affected the environment in New Jersey and the nation.
- 6.1.12.HistoryUP.3.b: Examine a variety of sources from multiple perspectives on slavery and evaluate the claims used to justify the arguments.
Link to Resources: A Petition for the Cotton Gin | DocsTeach
Supplemental Link: Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin – A Mixed Legacy – National Underground Railroad Freedom Center