The Battle of
the Overpass and its Lasting Impact on Labor History
Brandon J. Sethi
AHTC Lesson Plan
National Archives and
Records Administration
Great Lakes Region (Chicago)
Day 3: Students will be exploring the actual
events from the overpass that day as well as reading a news article written
many years later that seeks to explore the implications the battle had on labor
history in America.
Essential Questions:
Why is there conflict between the corporations and the
everyday workers? How does that conflict
get resolved?
What is the purpose of a union?
Assessment:
Assessment will come from the photo analysis as well as classroom discussion.
Setting the Purpose:
In this lesson, we wrap up our look at the necessity for the Wagner Act as a result of the Battle of the Overpass.
- Journal: What is the purpose of a union?
- Photo analysis. Divide class into groups and provide copies of UAW photos 1-13 as well as photo analysis sheets and have students analyze what is going on in the picture.
- Read newspaper article from Detroit News on the events, following which students will compare the article to their photo analysis and then students will create a timeline of the events as well as a biography card of Reuther.
- Read over documents beatings1-3.jpg and discuss the events in correlation with our timelines.
Analysis of Local
Primary Sources:
- Testimony from trial regarding the beatings given by FordŐs goons to the union organizers.
- Detroit News article about event from the 1990Ős as part of a look back.
- Photographs as taken by Scott Kirkland that day of 1937 on the overpass
Ties to National
Primacy Sources or Sources:
None.
Annotated List of
Materials and Resources:
Photo Analysis Sheet: Worksheet for students to analyze photos from Battle of the Overpass. Works well for any photo analysis.
News article from Detroit News about the historical implications of the Battle of the Overpass.
Beatings.1-3.jpg – Series of documents of testimony from trial detailing how they were treated and beaten on that day.