OBJECTIVE – This lesson will familiarize you with the driving force behind the Mexican American farm workers push of greater rights.

DISCUSSION – Cesar Chavez was greatly influenced by the work of Dr. Martin Luther King.  Chavez realized the necessity to improve the lives of the farm workers.  Coming form a poor family and understanding the predicament faced by many migrant workers Chavez utilized the boycott and fasting to draw national and international attention to their plight.  Unlike Dr. King and African American struggle for rights, Chavez faced the problem of convincing many of his friends and neighbor to stick with the plan to perpetuate the boycott.  Many did not speak English and were content to be paid the wages they were making.  Even thought their wages were significantly less than minimum wages in some cases, they were better than what they could earn in Mexico .  By the time of his death Chavez had helped to enact significant improvement in the treatment of farm workers in the state of California .

Assignment 8.07 United Farm Workers & Cesar Chavez

ASSIGNMENT – For this assignment you will be writing a biography of Cesar Chavez.  You may use any online resources you wish but the following web site will be a good starting point:

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/chavez

You should create your biography as a PowerPoint adhering to the following format:

v     1 Title Slide.

v     2 Slides on birth and childhood.

v     2 Slides describing his involvement with the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee:

o       Include the use of boycott in Delano .

v     3 Slides focusing on use of non-violence (based on Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi):

o       Include the role of the Catholic Church in his movement

o       Include the use of fasting and the march to Sacramento .

v     2 Slides focusing on his death and impact on the rights of Latinos, especially in the Central San Joaquin Valley .

v     1 Biographical Slide.

Include graphical support to add interest to your PowerPoint (pictures, illustrations, etc.).

When you are done with your PowerPoint go the Assignment Area and click on “View/Complete Assignment – 8.07 – United Farm Workers and Cesar Chavez”.  Attach the PowerPoint and click “Submit”.