Constitution and Ratification | Civics and U.S. History for Middle School

In this middle school history lesson, students explore the debate over ratifying the U.S. Constitution by analyzing Amos Doolittle’s political cartoon The Looking Glass. Through careful examination of the image’s symbolism, captions, and context, students uncover how Federalists and Anti-Federalists clashed over the principles of government power, federalism, and liberty.

What were the principles behind the new Constitution, and how did they shape the national debate? Guided by the VIEW method—Voice, Intent, Environment, and Who—students learn to decode historical documents and evaluate competing political perspectives. By crafting a thesis and using visual evidence, students sharpen essential historical thinking and civic reasoning skills.