Using NewsHour Extra Feature Stories

Overview: NewsHour Extra features stories can help students identify and interpret key issues in current events. This activity anticipates one class period, but the follow-up essay might be assigned as homework, or in another period.

Warm Up: Use initiating questions to introduce the topic and find out how much your students know.

Main Activity: Have students read NewsHour Extra's feature story and answer the questions on the reading comprehension handout.

Discussion: Use discussion questions to encourage students to think about how the issues outlined in the story affect their lives and express and debate different opinions.

Follow-up: Students can write an 500-word editorial on the topic expressing their views and send it to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org] for possible publication.

Evaluation: Students are graded on their answers to reading comprehension questions and/or their editorial.

Story: President of Haiti Resigns; U.S. Troops Enter Caribbean Nation: 3/01/04
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june04/haiti_3-01.html

Initiating Questions:

1. Where is Haiti?

2. What do you know about the country?

3. Why has Haiti been in the news lately?

Reading Comprehension Questions: (click here for printout)

1. What happened in Haiti recently?

After increasing diplomatic pressure from the United States and other allies, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti fled into exile Sunday, leaving the Caribbean nation in a state of turmoil.

2. What did President Bush do in response to the activity in Haiti?

Following Aristide's resignation, President Bush authorized the deployment of about 200 Marines as part of an "interim international force" to restore order. The U.S. troops join soldiers from countries such as Canada and France that are trying to stop the looting and revenge killings that have destabilized Haiti in the past several weeks.

3. How did Aristide explain his actions?

In a letter explaining his resignation, the former president said that he left to prevent further bloodshed and to ensure that the new government would conform to Haiti's Constitution.

"[The Constitution] should not be drowned in the Haitian people's blood. This is why tonight, if it is my resignation that will prevent a bloodbath, I agree to go with the hope that there will be life and not death."

4. Who are Aristide's opponents and critics? What do they think about the man?

Aristide returned to power in 2000, but many of his critics believe that the elections were marred by corruption. A coalition of political parties, civil societies, trade unions and business associations boycotted the Congress, and refused to cooperate in any government initiatives until he resigned.

At the same time, armed rebel groups -- not linked to the political opposition groups -- began violent clashes with government supporters especially in the North.

5. How long are U.S. troops expected to be in the country? Why?

According to a deal reached by the United Nations, the troops will remain no longer than three months, at which time they will be replaced by U.N. peacekeepers.

6. Who is criticizing the Bush administration's actions in Haiti? Why?

The Democratic presidential candidates and the Congressional Black Caucus, a group of black Congress members who advocate for black and minority citizens, have criticized the Bush administration's handling of the Haiti crisis, saying that lack of attention allowed the situation to spiral out of control.

Rep. Charles Rangel, a Democrat from New York and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus who was deeply involved in restoring Aristide to power in 1994, said the United States must shoulder much of the blame for Aristide's fall and the chaos that brought it on.

"We are just as much a part of this coup d'etat as the rebels, looters or anyone else," he said.

Discussion Questions (more research might be needed):

1. What do you think of Jean-Bertrand Aristide's decision to step down and leave the country? Would you have done the same? Why? Explain your actions.

2. Should U.S. troops be sent to Haiti? Why or why not? If yes, how long should they stay and what should their mission be?

3. How should the United States decide whether or not to send troops to a troubled country? Create a policy and a set of considerations. You should include geography, international relations, interest groups within the United States, etc.

Send your answers, in essay form, to extra@newshour.org for possible publication!