Lesson Plan

Fashion, History and Politics

In this unit we will analyze how political leaders in the past used fashion to transmit political and moral values. We will examine the differences between two prime ministers - David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin - and the influence of their respective clothing on their voters and the nation as a whole.

How did two prime ministers - David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin - use fashion to transmit political and moral values?

Discussion Questions

Using educator’s guide, have an opening a discussion about personal and political fashion choices, focusing on photographs of Ben Gurion and Begin.

Throughout this activity we will discuss the power of fashion as a political tool, the importance of understanding the messages that fashion choices can convey – both our choices and those of others (especially people in power).

In conclusion: Do you think that politicians’ fashion choices actually have an impact on the way people vote? Why or why not?

Group Activity

Voting on the Best-Dressed Israeli Prime Ministers

Ask students to vote on the best dressed Israeli prime minister using this poll created using Playbuzz. Students can create their own poll using pictures of other prime ministers found using NLI resources or Google Images.

Hold a short discussion about students’ choices: why did they vote this way?

Creative Activity

Based on the examples of Begin and Ben-Gurion whose dress styles were influenced by their political ideologies, we will look at modern leaders and their choice of clothing. In pairs, students choose a current Israeli politician and “dress” them as a way of encouraging their popularity among voters, based on the instructions in this worksheet.

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Using educator’s guide, have an opening a discussion about personal and political fashion choices, focusing on photographs of Ben Gurion and Begin.

Throughout this activity we will discuss the power of fashion as a political tool, the importance of understanding the messages that fashion choices can convey – both our choices and those of others (especially people in power).

In conclusion: Do you think that politicians’ fashion choices actually have an impact on the way people vote? Why or why not?

Primary sources in this lesson

Primary source in this Game

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