About This Lesson
This two-day high school lesson uses a real-time global event, the reported U.S. capture of Venezuela’s president, to help students analyze breaking news as history unfolds. On Day 1, students evaluate news coverage from multiple sources, distinguish fact from opinion, and examine constitutional and international law questions related to U.S. military and law enforcement power. On Day 2, students place the event in historical context by exploring long-term U.S. involvement in Latin America, from the Monroe Doctrine to Cold War interventions and the modern Venezuela crisis.
Throughout the lesson, students practice media literacy skills, assess source credibility, and consider how social media shapes public understanding of global events. Designed for civics, U.S. history, government, or current events courses, this lesson emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and thoughtful discussion rather than partisan conclusions.
