Born in 1810, American showman and circus enterpriser Phineas Taylor Barnum defined the spirit and motion of the nineteenth century. He began his career in the entertainment business by purchasing and exhibiting Joice Heth, a black slave, reputedly 161 years old, and alleged to have been a nurse to George Washington. From then on, Barnum rode the roller coaster of success and failure; achieving monumental highs and devastating lows. But Barnum always bounced back, and exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit of the age. This A & E original movie brings the life and times of P.T. Barnum to the screen. Patriot and con man, businessman and charlatan, it has been said that P.T. Barnum was a bit of each, but he became an American icon, as much a part of nineteenth century history as the railroad or the telephone. P.T. Barnum would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture, Economics, and Science and Technology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Part 1

Students will analyze the role of popular culture in American history and how it is a reflection of the class structure of the nineteenth century. They will also examine the technological advances of the nineteenth century and the effects of the major political events, such as the Civil War, of the century.

NATIONAL HISTORY STANDARDS

• abolitionist
• ambition
• applicant
• colleagues
• deference
• deploy
• eminent
• hoax
• inimitable
• maligned
• manipulate
• manumission
• obscurity
• philanthropy
• repugnant
• ruse
• sensationalism
• slander
• speculative
• stupendous
• substantiate
• swindle
• venture

1. P.T. Barnum lived through most of the nineteenth century. Describe what life was like in the 19th century. How was it different for people of different classes and different races? How was life different for men and women?

2. Horace Greely, editor of the New York Tribune, once called P.T. Barnum the "shaper of modern America." Why did Greely say this?

3. P.T. Barnum was a product of the nineteenth century. How was the time right for Barnum and his ventures?

4. Barnum’s philosophy was that people knew in their hearts what was true and real but chose to be fooled. Do you agree? If so, can you think of some examples?

5. Compare forms of entertainment in the 19th century and the 20th century.

6. Barnum’s career had many highs and many lows. How did this man exemplify the word persistence? What lessons could you learn from him?

7. Barnum’s dream was to buy Scudder’s Museum in New York City. How did he finally manage to do this?

8. How did Barnum build excitement, anticipation and curiosity for his exhibits?

9. Barnum said that "Americans revere the old but they enjoy only the new." Do you think he was right? Is it the same today? Explain.

10. Did Barnum exploit his employees?

1. Fashion is an indicator of a historical era. Design an outfit for a man or woman of the nineteenth century.

2. Create a timeline of the major events that occurred in the United States during P.T. Barnum’s life.

3. Design an advertisement for Barnum’s American Museum.

Related Videos