Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI. Have you ever wondered how law enforcement agencies work? Have you watched any movies or series about the FBI? What do you think are the most important qualities for a leader of a law enforcement agency to have? How do you think someone’s upbringing and early life experiences can shape their career and worldview?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Look at the featured image and describe what you see. What do you think this activity will be about based on the image? Do you think it will be about the history of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover’s life, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts and predictions with a partner or the class.
Introduction:
Read the introduction to the activity and get a sense of what you will be learning about. Take note of any key terms or concepts that are introduced. How does the introduction relate to your predictions from the featured image analysis?
Video Engagement:
Watch the video J. Edgar Hoover & the History of the FBI Documentary and follow along with the prompts below.
- Watch the introduction to the video and pause at 2-3 minutes. What are your initial impressions of J. Edgar Hoover? What do you think motivated him to become involved in law enforcement?
- Continue watching the video and pause at 10-12 minutes. How does the video portray Hoover’s early life and career? What events or experiences do you think had the most impact on his development as a leader?
- Watch the section on Hoover’s leadership of the FBI and pause at 20-22 minutes. What do you think were some of the most significant challenges Hoover faced as director of the FBI? How did he address these challenges, and what were the consequences of his actions?
For more information and context, visit the original post: https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/j-edgar-hoover-the-history-of-the-fbi-documentary/
Output Requirements:
As you complete this activity, be sure to meet the following output requirements:
- Participate in class discussions and share your thoughts and predictions
- Complete the video engagement prompts and take notes on key concepts and events
- Visit the original post and explore additional resources and information
Key Vocabulary:
Review the key vocabulary terms and definitions below:
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| COINTELPRO | A series of covert and often illegal projects conducted by the FBI to spy on, infiltrate, disrupt, and discredit domestic political organizations | Hoover launched a COINTELPRO campaign against the Ku Klux Klan, using communist methods to combat the organization |
| Geodetic Survey | The measurement and representation of the Earth’s surface, including its shape, size, and gravitational field | Hoover’s father, Dickerson Hoover, worked for the US Coast and Geodetic Survey |
| Meritocratic | A system in which advancement is based on individual merit, rather than on privilege or wealth | Hoover worked to create a meritocratic organization, dismissing notorious agents and implementing reforms |
| Alien Registration Act | A law that required all aliens (non-citizens) in the United States to register with the federal government | Roosevelt passed the Alien Registration Act, which allowed the FBI to expand its counter-espionage activities |
| Counter-espionage | The practice of detecting and preventing espionage, or spying, by a foreign power or organization | Roosevelt expanded the FBI’s counter-espionage activities, authorizing wiretapping and passing the Alien Registration Act |
| Communism | A political and economic ideology that advocates for the abolition of private property and the establishment of a classless, stateless society | Hoover targeted the Communist party, compiling a list of foreign-born Communists and requesting deportation warrants |
| Segregation | The practice of separating people based on their race, ethnicity, or other characteristics, often resulting in unequal treatment and opportunities | Hoover was influenced by views similar to those of President Woodrow Wilson, who supported racial segregation and the segregation of federal employees |
| Wiretapping | The practice of secretly listening to or recording someone’s telephone conversations, often without their knowledge or consent | Roosevelt authorized wiretapping as part of the FBI’s expanded counter-espionage activities |
| Deportation | The act of forcing someone to leave a country, often due to their immigration status or other reasons | Hoover requested deportation warrants for foreign-born Communists as part of his efforts to target the Communist party |
| Surveillance | The act of closely watching or monitoring someone or something, often in a secretive or covert manner | Hoover’s surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr. found evidence of extramarital affairs, which he shared with Congress |
| Counter-intelligence | The practice of gathering and analyzing information to prevent or counter the intelligence-gathering activities of a foreign power or organization | Hoover worked with the CIA to counter Soviet infiltration and gather counter-intelligence |
| Executive Power | The authority and influence wielded by the executive branch of government, including the president and their administration | Hoover’s leadership of the FBI was marked by an expansion of executive power, with some viewing him as a symbol of government overreach and abuse of power |
Vocabulary Quiz:
Test your understanding of the key vocabulary terms with the following quiz:
- Which word means ‘a system in which people are given jobs based on their ability and qualifications rather than their wealth or social status’?
- A) Meritocracy
- B) Segregation
- C) Communism
- D) Espionage
- What does ‘apolitical’ mean in the context of J. Edgar Hoover’s leadership of the FBI?
- A) Having strong political views
- B) Being neutral and unbiased in political matters
- C) Focusing solely on law enforcement
- D) Having a predominantly single and unmarried male workforce
- What is ‘COINTELPRO’ in the context of J. Edgar Hoover’s actions against the Ku Klux Klan?
- A) A campaign to promote civil rights
- B) A program to deport political extremists
- C) A secret operation to disrupt and neutralize organizations deemed subversive
- D) A method of wiretapping and surveillance
- What does ‘dismantled’ mean in the context of J. Edgar Hoover’s actions against the Ku Klux Klan?
- A) To establish and strengthen an organization
- B) To take apart and destroy an organization