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 2

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.

• adversaries
• apoplexy
• carnivore
• catastrophe
• consolation
• conspire
• deteriorate
• elope
• gauge
• intoxicating
• itinerary
• menagerie
• optimistic
• pauper
• restitution
• sabotage
• sanctify
• solvent
• valid
• whims

1. Barnum made, and lost, a great deal of money throughout his career. What are some of the ways that Barnum lost his money?

2. How did losing money change Barnum’s and his family’s lives?

3. What price did Barnum pay for his career and way of life?

4. There is an old saying that ‘behind every great man there is a good woman." How did Charity Barnum contribute to P.T. Barnum’s success?

5. How did the railroads of the 19th century "shrink the world?" What inventions of our century have done the same?

6. When P.T. Barnum returned to his American Museum, the crowds greeted him with silence. Why?

7. Every year, in towns and cities across the country, the circus arrives in a colorful parade. What are the origins of the circus parade?

8. In 1861, Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter, initiating the Civil War. How did the war affect the country? How did it affect Barnum and his family?

9. Barnum is most remembered for his circus. How did Barnum get into the circus business?

10. Who would you choose to be the P.T. Barnum of today? Why?

11. Why did Barnum go into politics?

1. Imagine that you are the editor of a newspaper in 1891. Write an obituary for P.T. Barnum.

2. Create a broadside or poster advertising Barnum's circus.

3. Pretend you are a visitor to Barnum’s American Museum or his circus. Write a letter home about what you have seen. Or, imagine you are a business partner of P.T. Barnum. Write a letter to a friend about what it is like working with Barnum.

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