The Black Panther Party
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the contributions of the Black Panther Party.
Key learning points
- The Black Panther Party was founded in 1966, and was inspired by the beliefs of the Black Power movement.
- The Black Panther Party encouraged self-sufficiency in the black community and sought to take down 'the establishment'.
- The Black Panther Party's biggest achievement was the Free Breakfast for Children Program.
- The Black Panther Party eventually disbanded after constant targeting from the FBI and the murder of 27 Black Panthers.
Keywords
Black Power - Black Power is the political name for groups aiming for self-determination for black Americans
Establishment - the establishment is a system of politics and government that some argue enables racial and economic inequality
Common misconception
Malcolm X founded the Black Panther Party.
The ideas of Malcolm X in his later life would inspire the Black Power movement; this in turn inspired the Black Panther Party in the year after his death. The party was founded by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton.
Teacher tip
While the Black Panther Party are largely remembered for their support of self-defence, military style uniform and carrying of weapons, their largest impact was in the local community where they looked to address issues of poverty and poor education.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What word was used to describe black and white Americans working together for civil rights, rather than separately?
Q2.Which of the following statements best describes the term 'self-sufficiency'?
Q3.What was the slogan of the Lowndes County Freedom Organisation (LCFO)?
Q4.The Mexico Olympics (1968) raised the profile of which movement?
Q5.Which group typically interpreted the Black Power movement as as a violent, anti-white organisation?
Q6.Which of these did the assassination of Martin Liuther King lead to?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following keywords with the correct definitions.
the name for groups aiming for self-determination for black Americans
a system of politics and government that some argue enables inequality
when a person or group is able to control their own life/lives
to be able to provide for yourself without any outside help
Q2.Who were the founders of the Black Panther Party?
Q3.Complete this sentence with a first name: X influenced the ideas, values, and beliefs of the founders of the Black Panther Party.
Q4.How did the Black Panther Party differ from other civil rights organizations?
Q5.What was one of the achievements of the Black Panther Party that was unrelated to the use of weapons for self-defence?
Q6.Which of these organisations targeted the Black Panther Party as a threat?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Black Panther Party, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Black Panther Party, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the The USA, 1954–75 conflict at home and abroad unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.